1938- One of the first people hired by Newark’s jazz station WBGO and became the face of and a fierce … More
Month: January 2023
Willie Belle Hooper
1906-1999 Born in Georgia and attended school, including getting a teaching certificate in Florence, S.C, after which she taught in … More
Asimina Zois
1909-1987 Arrived in Newark at age 7 from Greece. She began sending care packages back to her native village in … More
Anna Lois Russ Jones
1911-1987 Mother of Amiri Baraka. Born in Alabama, lived in Newark from 1926. Attended Tuskegee, Fisk, and Shaw College. Administrator … More
Sarah Catherine Howard Johnson
1907-1993 One of the first African American nurses in the Visiting Nurses Association of Newark, where she worked from 1930-1950. … More
Maggie Clay Beckett
c. 1892-1972 Founded the James H. Beckett funeral home with her husband. President of the New Jersey State Federation of … More
Rose Slavitt
1895-1969 Born in Newark, but grew up in New York for some years (1910). Back in Newark by 1915. First … More
J. Isabelle Sims
c. 1873-1952 Prolific Newark social worker and lifelong Newarker. Directed Fresh Air Fund Camps for 32 years and would travel … More
Newark Women 