Audrey Harvey Massiah Harris West
1927-2003
Audrey West worked for the Essex County Welfare Dept and then became Director of the Division of Welfare for Newark after Grace Malone, in 1969. She said, “I took this position because I wanted to get closer to the problems of Newark and that is where the real social welfare problems are in this country.”
Audrey then became deputy director of the State Division of Welfare in 1978 and then Director of Public Welfare (1980s) (now part of Human Services).
Later, Audrey was the executive director of the Newark Preschool Council (by 1990). During her time with the Preschool Council she turned around Newark’s Head Start program, culminating in a visit by President Clinton. She was named National Head Start Administrator of the year in 2001.
Gov McGreevey called her “a woman of incredible intelligence and elegance” who “profoundly changed the lives of countless children and their families”.
Audrey was active in the National Council for Negro Women, Negro Business and Professional Womens Clubs, and NJ Association of Public Administrators. She was a member of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women in Newark.
Audrey was married to two Newark councilmen Earl Harris (1982) and Calvin West (1993). Born in Trenton, as Audrey Harvey, Audrey attended Howard University and came to Newark in 1958.
Bibliography
Audrey West Celebration of Life, Barbara J Kukla Papers, Newark Library
NJ Marriage Index
“A Life of Service” Star Ledger (Editorial) Mar 29, 2003
Stewart, Nikita, “Audrey West, Elegant and Highly Influential” Mar 20, 2003
Newark Library Digital Collections 1 2 3 4 5
“Mrs. Audrey Massiah, Names in the News” Newark News Aug 3, 1969
Bridge, Peter “New Welfare Head Approved by Board” Newark News Jul 30, 1969
“Welfare Chief Sworn” Star Ledger Sept 3, 1969
King, Sandra “Klein Picks Welfare Aid” Star Ledger Jan 19, 1978
Byrd, Frederick “Transfer of Homeless Enrages Welfare Chief” Star Ledger Mar 30, 1985
Kukla, Barbara “Newark native returns to manage Preschool Council” Star Ledger Oct 4, 2001