Category: 1890-1909 (Born)
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Willie Belle Hooper
1906-1999 Willie Belle Cooper was born in Georgia (maiden name: Saunders) and attended school, including getting a teaching certificate in Florence, S.C, after which she taught in several rural schools. According to her daughter, Newark would not accept her teaching certificate. In her oral history she says she tried to get “in school” and couldn’t…
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Asimina Speros Zois
1909-1987 Asimina Zois began sending care packages back to her native village in Greece after WWII, and later sent packages to Vietnam servicemen all over the world. In 1969 the post office gave her a Humanitarian Award for her work. She said, “What we throw away in this country they can use over there. The…
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Maggie Clay Beckett
c. 1892-1972 Maggie Clay Beckett founded the James H. Beckett funeral home with her husband. Maggie was President of the New Jersey State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs 1943-1947, as well as former Vice President. She was the first advisor to the Junior Federation. She was instrumental in presenting a pageant with the group at…
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Rose Slavitt
1895-1969 Rose Slavitt was the first woman to manage a department at Prudential Insurance Co in 1952. She was manager of Debit Policy Division 2 and worked for Prudential for many years, starting a messenger. She said, “This is a terrific challenge to me…The confidence my superiors have shown by giving me this promotion is…
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Tina Eugene Holtzclaw Bohannon
1905-1999 Tina Bohannon was an early Black teacher in Newark, hired before 1945, firstly as a “permanent sub” at Cleveland Junior High, because Black teachers could not be officially hired above primary level. Afterward, she taught at 7th Avenue School and Robert Treat Elementary School, and finally became Guidance Chairman at Arts High for 13…
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May C. Korb Cronham McBath
1892-1978 Soprano who performed throughout the United States and Canada at least through the 1930s. The Newark News called her a “church and concert soloist” and mentioned she performed at Aeolian Hall in New York in 1922. She also sang opera. She was a soloist in South Park Presbyterian Church and Second Presbyterian Church. She…
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Elizabeth Hardin Goss
1895-1953 Elizabeth Hardin Goss graduated Miss Townsend’s School in Newark and then went to Vassar where she broke the world record in shot put, as well as the basketball and baseball throw. Her shot put record would have won the gold medal at the Amateur Athletic Union championships in 1923-1925 and the 1932 Olympics! After…
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Dr. Edith Gann
1905-1998 Dr. Edith Gann was a school principal and psychologist whose writing was used nationwide. Dr. Edith was a graduate of Miller Street School, South Side High and the Normal School. She received a Phd from psychology from Columbia. Dr. Edith was a principal at Camden Street, Avon Avenue, and Maple Avenue Elementary Schools. She…