Newark Women

Alphabetical List of Posts

  • (Clara) Irene Pataquam Mulford

    c.1854- 1945 In 1872, Clara Pataquam was the first African American pupil to attend the Newark High School. Previously African American students attended the Colored School. Clara had to sit alone in the last seat because she wasn’t allowed to sit next to a white pupil. However, she said she was treated with “consideration” and…

  • Abigail Malmgreen

    1909-2009 Abigail Malmgreen was a lifelong political activist, who lived to 100. Abigail was a member of the United Nations Association, Americans for Democratic Action, the NAACP, the Congress of Racial Equality, the Givat Haviva Educational Association and the National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (now New Jersey Peace Action) and was an organizer…

  • Adelaide Wilson

    1902-Unknown Adelaide Wilson was raised in Newark and worked as a reporter, as early as 1920, when she lived on Hawthorne Avenue. In 1921 and 1922 she hiked 10,000 miles to San Francisco & back. She became engaged to a rancher in Denver and worked with movie star Dorothy Dalton, among other adventures. As a…

  • Adelina “Addie” McIntyre Garris

    1869 – 1936 Adelia McIntyre is cited by William Ashby and the Afro American as one of the earliest African American teachers in Newark. Adelina lived at 13 Academy St and 69 Plane St. She is listed as “Mulatto” on the 1880 census and “White” on the 1895 and 1930 Censuses. She atended Commerce Street…

  • Aileen Fong Shane

    1926-2017 Born and raised in Newark’s Chinatown Aileen Fong Shane was an early woman engineer, graduating from Newark College of Engineering in 1946, at just age 19. In a 1947 article in the Star Ledger she was called an “outstanding female student” who graduated “near top of her class.. one of few woman mechanical engineers…

  • Alice Bunce

    1893-1970 Alice E. Bunce was the first African American woman to graduate from the New Jersey College of Pharmacy in Newark. However, she lived in Asbury Park at the time of graduation in 1927. She owned a pharmacy in Asbury Park for many years, opening it with her brother in 1923 and operating it until…

  • Alice Condit Kirkpatrick

    11 Dec 1875 – 15 Jan 1951 Alice Kirkpatrick was the first woman in Newark to head a city governing board. She was elected in 1917 as President of the Recreation Commission, after being appointed for the start of 1916 by Mayor Raymond. Alice was head of the New Jersey Vacation Committee organized in 1914:…

  • Alice W. Kendall

    c. 1885-1959 Alice Kendall worked at the Newark Museum as an assistant to Beatrice Winser and John Cotton Dana from 1911-1949. She served two years as director of the museum from 1947-1949, preceded Katherine Coffey, and previously served as a curator and assistant director. Alice lived on Milford Ave. She was born in Concord, Mass.…

  • Alma Beatty

    1940-2015 Alma Beatty was Vice President of Community Affairs at Beth Israel. Beth Israel calls her “a trailblazer in our community”, She was the founder and coordinator of Beth Israel’s annual health and wellness fair. It was named in her honor in 2012. A street in Newark was also named in her honor in 2015.…

  • Alma C Mitchill

    c. 1893-1960 A Brooklyn native, Alma Mitchill came to Newark 2 years after graduation. She served as librarian at PSE&G in Newark until her retirement in 1955. She increased their circulation by many times. She had many roles in the Special Libraries Association and became the NJ President from 1935-1937 and 1947-1949 and the National…

  • Amanda Minnie Douglas

    1831-1916 Amanda Douglas was a children’s author who wrote dozens of published books, with some sources saying 92! The Newark News wrote, “Young and old enjoy her writings” and she “had been a favorite author among thousands of readers.” Amanda was born in New York City, but moved to Newark by 1850, when she appears…

  • Ame Amelia Garrison

    c. 1909 – 1997 Amelia Garrison was a swing-era saxophonist who travelled widely playing with bands, also leading NJ’s only female orchestra as of 1938, according to the New Jersey Herald News, Ame Garrison’s Sirens of Swing. During her career she said, “usually I was the only female sax player they had ever worked with.”…

  • Amealia Steward

    1915-2001 Amealia Steward owned Steward’s Restaurant and later redesigned Peppermint Lounge. She was a self-made millionaire. “She was our queen in the city said Mayor James, “She had wealth, beauty and fame.” Steward’s Restaurant first opened in 1949 on Prince Street and later moved to Avon Ave. Black Mirror News wrote, “When most people become…

  • Amelia (Berndt) Moorfield

    1876-1950 Amelia (Berndt) Moorfield (1876-1950), was a suffragette from Newark, with the Women’s Political Union. She was financial secretary of the WPU, recruited by Mina Van Winkle. In this role, she raised money for the suffrage cause, helping to achieve the passage of the 19th Amendment. Amelia’s parents were German immigrants. Born in Kentucky, she…

  • Amina Baraka

    1942- Amina Baraka is an American poet, actress, author, community organizer, singer, dancer, and activist. She is the mother of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Born Sylvia Robinson, Amina grew up in Newark and attended Arts High School, class of Jan 1961. In 1960, she married Walter Wilson. In 1963, she was one of the founding…

  • Aneatha Dames Todd

    1918-1998 Aneatha Dames Todd was vital in many civic organizations, especially within UMDNJ and United Hospitals. Black Mirror News called her “a voice for Newarkers”. She said, “I just have a desire to be part of things, rather than having things given to me. It may sound old fashioned but I still believe in doing…

  • Ann VanWagenen Plume & Nancy Vischer Plume

    1752-1816 and Bef. 1710-Aft. 1710 Ann VanWagenen Plume was married to Isaac Plumne. It is said that during the Revolutionary War, Hessians began destroying her property. She got so angry, the soldiers retreated. A few days later, she found a Hessian soldier in her ice house and trapped him inside. She gave him to the…

  • Anna E Whittington

    c. 1875-1956 African American woman who ran her own real estate agency in Newark for more than 30 years from at least 1910. Left an estate over $100,000. She went by “A E Whittington”. Member of the Priscilla Art and Literary Club and the exec committee of the North Jersey Branch of the National Negro…

  • Anna F Whitmore

    1848-May 22, 1934 Anna F. Whitmore was the founder of girls school: the Newark Seminary and principal for 47 years. Anna founded the school in 1881 at 27 Hill Street as “Miss Whitmore’s English and French Day School”. Five years later she moved to 993 Broad and then 174 Clinton Avenue in 1901. In 1926,…

  • Anna Lois Russ Jones

    1911-1987 Anna Jones was the mother of Amiri Baraka who was active in the community in education and civic activism, and a champion sprinter in her youth. She was also administrator of Community Hospital, Newark’s Black hospital, for many years. Born in Alabama, Anna lived in Newark from around 1926. She attended Tuskegee, Fisk, and…

  • Anna Luella Seager

    c.1887 -1957 Anna Luella Seager was Associate Supervisor of the Newark Normal School and later Associate Professor Education at New Jersey State Teacher’s College. She planned international trips for the students, specializing in taking students through Europe for study. Anna worked at the Normal School/Teacher’s College (now Kean) from 1917, until her retirement in 1950.…

  • Anna W. Hilton Monroe

    1878-1973 Anna Monroe was active in Black social and civic organizations in Newark for many years. She was a founding member of the Urban League, president of the Newark Branch of the NAACP, and financial chairman for the Sojourner Truth Branch of the YWCA and the NJ State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. Price’s Freedom…

  • Annette “Tony” Doyle O’Flaherty

    1920-2000 Annette O’Flaherty served in leadership roles in labor, social service, county and city. She was president of the CIO Women’s League of New Jersey, a member of the Newark local assistance board, Essex County Manpower Office director and spokeswoman, and chairwoman of Newark Emergency Services for Families Homeless Task Force. She was also active…

  • Antoinette Rehmann Perrett

    1880-1952 Antoinette Perrett was a photographer and magazine writer, who wrote for national publications, specializing in gardens. Her work appeared in magazines such as House Beautiful, House and Garden, and Charm. She was the sister of Elsa Rehmann. She also had a recurring feature “Nature News Gathered in the Essex County Parks” in the Newark…

  • Armita Harris Douglas

    1874-1958 Armita Douglas was active in the suffrage movement and a civic leader in Newark, advocating for Black women to become more politically active. She said in 1923, ” “the best mother is not the mother who stays at home all the time and gets a flower once a year…there are girls outside our own home…

  • 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…

  • Audrey Harris West

    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…

  • Augusta Levine Parsonnet

    1870-1949 Augusta Parsonnet was president of the Women’s Political Union of New Jersey. She was the first President of the League of Women Voters of Newark. She was also first President of the Ladie’s Guild of Beth Israel, a founder of Haddasah’s Newark Chapter and first President the Newark Council of Jewish Women. She also…

  • Barbara Bell Coleman

    1949- Barbara Bell Coleman is President of BBC Associates and a board member of the merged MCJ Amelior Foundation, Schumann Fund for New Jersey and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. She is co-founder and trustee emeritus of the Branch Brook Park Alliance, which she helped found in 1999. Barbara has served as CEO / Executive…

  • Barbara George

    c. 1953-2000 Barbara George was the first woman and first African American woman police captain. Sharpe James called her a “trailblazer, role model and…hero”. Barbara was the sister of Gigi Foushee, who also served with the police, one of 7 children. After graduating Weequahic in 1970 and Bloomfield College, she taught science. Barbara joined the…

  • Barbara J Kukla

    1940- Barbara Kukla was a reporter for the Star Ledger for 37 years. She has written many books on historical Newark including, Swing City: Newark Nightlife 1925-1950. Barbara J. Kukla was born in 1940 and grew up in North Arlington, New Jersey. With the Star Ledger, Barbara edited the popular Newark This Week section and…

  • Beatrice Winser

    1869-1947 Beatrice Winser was director of the Newark library and museum from 1929-1942 (only female library director until Wilma Grey!). She was also the first female member of the Newark Board of Education (1915). Born in Newark, Beatrice grew up in Germany where her father was stationed. She joined Newark library in 1889, becoming assistant…

  • Bernice Bass

    1926-2000 Bernice Bass (right) had a major presence in the city’s music, radio, & political scenes. Bernice had a Sunday evening radio program on WNJR: News & Views playing gospel, commentary and interviews, causing the Star Ledger to call her, “one of the city’s most influential newswoman” upon her death. She interviewed both Martin Luther…

  • Bernice Maxwell Cross

    c. 1918-2011 Bernice Cross worked at the Star Ledger all her life, from 1939 to 2004. She coordinated several sections of the paper as part of the editorial staff. She also served as a receptionist. For many years she was also a popular soprano singer, who enjoyed singing in choirs. Bernice was one of the…

  • Bernice Schneiderman Edelcreek

    1927-2015 Bernice Edelcreek was a lifelong Newark teacher who said “Newark was the only place I ever really wanted to teach.” Bernice was a physical education teacher and was named Newark’s Teacher of the Year in 1994. She said, “I am particular concerned…with youngsters who are having difficulty accomplishing the skills which are required in…

  • Bertell Collins Wright

    1908-1993 Bertell Collins Weight was resident of the Essex County Tuberculosis League, based in Newark at 42 Park Place. She was sometimes called “Director of Negro Health Work” or “Executive Secretary”. Bertell worked there from 1938-1958. She lived at 69 Somerset St in Newark from at least 1935 (likely from her marriage in 1934), until…

  • Bertha Lewit Rosenthal

    1891-1957 Bertha was an early College of Pharmacy graduate in 1909, “one of the youngest graduates of the college”. Only one other woman graduated that year, though the first woman graduates were in 1901 there were still very few. Bertha was born in Newark and lived at 521 18th Avenue in 1916 when she married…

  • Bessie Lanier Smith

    1924-1966 Bessie Lanier Smith was prominent in the Clinton Hill anti-poverty activities with United Community Corporation and as a community leader in Clinton Hill. She was first president of the area UCC leader board for Clinton Hill (Area Board 3) also known as People’s Action Group. Before UCC came to Newark, Bessie and her husband…

  • Bessie Walker Williams

    1906-1994 Bessie Walker Williams was a community activist who advocated for voter rights, and was active for senior causes, and urban gardening. Bessie graduated from Rutgers with her Bachelor’s degree in 1985 at age 79. Bessie ran voter registration drives in her neighborhood. She ran voter registration drives in her neighborhood and was also a…

  • Betty Harris Neals

    1934- Betty Neals is a nationally-recognized poet, who has performed in Newark, New Jersey and nationally, who also had a 37-year teaching career in East Orange. In 1975, she was featured in New York City’s Black History Week and the New York Amsterdam News called her a “Newark born writer” who “is also a beautiful…

  • Betty Lester

    1945-2021 Betty Lester was the first African American woman Presiding Judge in Essex County and the 2nd African American female judge appointed to Superior Court of New Jersey. Betty Lester was born as Betty Joan Johnson in Pennsylvania. She attended Howard University and Rutgers Law School. After graduation she worked in Public Defenders Office. In…

  • Brenda Estelle Ray Moryck

    1894-1945 Black writer and social activist born in Newark. Worked with Newark Bureau of Charities. She published short stories, essays, and book reviews in national journals and magazines. Photo from Wellesley College. At the time of her graduation from Wellesley in 1916 her address was 61 Kearny (31 Kearney seems to be the correct address)…

  • Cabiria Assunta Polo Accarino

    1914-2007 Cabiria Accarino lived in Newark most of her life. She ran for North Ward Council in 1962 and organized the Forest Hill Little Children’s Theater in 1959. Cabiria taught piano, voice and drama for many years and had her own Italian language radio program where she wrote her own material. She was involved in…

  • Camille Sabie Malbrock

    1902-1998 Camille Sabie won two gold medals in the 1922 World Games and later became a physical education teacher. Branford theater in Newark hosted Camille Sabie Night. She lived at 182 Jefferson St. At the 1922 World Games, Sabie broke her own world record in the 100-yard hurdles and also won the standing broad jump,…

  • Carole Anderson Graves

    1938- Carol Graves was President of the Newark Teacher’s Union and leader of the 1970/1971 Teachers’ Strikes. She was sentenced to 6 months in jail for her refusal to end the strike. She later ran for General Assembly and served as Essex County Register. Born Carole Anderson, Carole graduated Arts High in 1955. Carole was…

  • Caroline Bamberger Fuld

    1864-1944 Caroline Bamberger Fuld, sister of Louis Bamberger, helped found famed Newark store Bamberger & Co. She devoted her later life to philanthropy, throughout Newark incl. Jewish & African American groups & helped found the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton. Caroline donated frequently to the Mosque theater and donated 5,000 cherry trees to Branch…

  • Carolyn Whigham

    1949- Carolyn Whigham owns and runs Whigham Funeral Home and is known for skill in organizing funerals including for celebrity clients. She became director of Whigham Funeral Home in 1986 and has run over 6000 funerals including for Houston family and Congressman Donald Payne. She also hosted How to Conduct High Profile Funerals” seminars across New…

  • Carrie Epps Powell

    c. 1905-1987 Born in Newark, attended East Side High, Newark State University and graduated Rutgers in 1931. Worked as a teacher for over 40 years, retiring in 1964 as VP of Hawthorne Ave School. When she was named VP in 1962 this made her the first Black teacher to be promoted to an administrative post…

  • Catherine Mouserrone Lynch

    1876-1939 Catherine Lynch was the founding Secretary of the Phyllis Wheatley Society and secretary of the Board of Management of Colored Home for Aged and Orphans, for 32 years. She was also involved in the 250th anniversary of Newark celebration. In 1941, a plaque was unveiled in her honor at the Colored Home. Catherine grew…

  • Cecil I Dorrian

    1882-1926 Cecil I. Dorrian (1882-1926) was a war reporter for the Newark News (WWI). She wrote a weekly column and traveled Europe and was the first accredited female reporter to go to the front lines. She was a playwright and wrote a play that was performed nationally. Cecil said, “They must know what it is…

  • Charlotte Kroll

    1872-1958 Charlotte Kroll was the owner of Domestic Art Rooms 149 Washington St., teaching china painting. She also imported and dealt in china with Mrs. Florence Nightingale Waterfield. Charlotte lived in Newark from at least 1913 until her death. She was on the Artist Committee for the 1916 Pageant of Newark. Her work was exhibited…

  • Christiana Oehler Trefz

    1831-1913 Christina Trefz was President and manager of the Christiana Trefz Brewing Company. She managed the company from 1876, when her husband died, until 1889 when it merged with Krueger, after which her son served as superintendent. She became “one of the wealthiest and best known women of this city”. In 1893, the Newark German…

  • Clara L Scudder

    1874-1930 Clara L Scudder was very accomplished on the piano and organ. She learned from her father David Scudder who was a member of Craig’s Orchestra. She went to Scotland and Europe to play in 1901-1902 (she appears on the 1901 Scotland Census as a visitor to Mary Jane Cargill in Glasgow) and William Ashby…

  • Clara Maass

    1876-1901 Clara Maass was one of the first graduates of Newark German Hospital and was named head nurse at 21. She served with as a contract nurse in the field hospitals of the Seventh Army Corps, among other assignments, including in the Phillipines. Her mother said, “Clara was a strong, vigorous girl able to withstand…

  • Clara McGuire Dasher

    1930-1995 Clara Dasher was President of the Essex County College Board of Trustees and a longtime active member and leader of the Newark Teacher’s Union. Clara was a teacher from 1959-1973. She was an assistant to Carole Graves and Vice President, who took over leadership of the Teachers Union while Carole was in jail for…

  • Clara Woodward Greene

    c. 1846 – Jan 31, 1904 Born about 1846 in New England, Clara W. Greene was vice principal of Newark High School (now Barringer), or Principal/Head of the Female Department, for 25 years, which was only integrated into the Male Department around 1899. According to her obituary, she revolutionized the curriculum of the High School,…

  • Clara Zahn

    1870-1953 Clara Zahn was the first woman principal of a co-ed grammar school. There were woman as primary school principals from 1855, the earliest year for which we have a report, but grammar schools were for older children. Grammar schools had a “male” and “female” department and there were women principals of the female department…

  • Connie Francis

    1937/8 (sources differ) – 2025 Connie Francis was a pop singer and chart topping vocalist. Connie was born Concetta Franconero in the Ironbound section of Newark. The family briefly lived in Brooklyn before moving to NJ. In 1950, the family lived at 17 Ridgewood Ave, Newark, off Clinton Ave. Connie attended Bergen Street School and…

  • Connie Williams Woodruff

    1921-1996 Connie Woodruff was a journalist, labor organizer and civic activist. Connie was City editor of the New Jersey Herald News by 1952. She also wrote “On the Scene in Jersey” for the New York Amsterdam News. She wrote a weekly column “As I See It” in City News. She was also active on Cablevision…

  • Constance Hedden Schotland

    1906-1997Constance Hedden was a Board of Education member, teacher and active in civic groups. Born in Newark on James Street, Constance Hedden graduated from Barringer High in 1924 and then Dennison University, and Montclair State Teachers College, where she received a Masters in Education in 1933. She took other teaching courses at Columbia, NYU and…

  • Corrina Pitters Kay-Williams

    1924-1994 Corrina Kay-Williams was born to Jamaican parents in East Orange. She served as an Essex County freeholder from 1982 to 1984, serving as Vice President. She was also an East Orange councilwomen. Corrina was an educator in Newark. She served as a guidance counselor at West Kinney Junior High, retiring as Vice Principal of…

  • Curvin Family

    The Curvin Family, the family of historian and activist Robert Curvin had several interesting and important women. The family had six daughters. They were born in Newark, but they grew up in Belleville at 68 Belmont Ave. The family lived on Cottage Place and other addresses in Newark through at least 1930. Jewel Curvin (featured…

  • Debra Holmes

    1953- Holmes was one of the first women in NJ to graduate as a Journeyman, Machinist, Tool & Die Maker / Mechanical Engineer. She worked at Westinghouse and then Anhueser-Busch in Newark, where she was the only female Machinist and Mechanical Tech Planner in the history of the company. Holmes worked at Anhueser-Busch for 32…

  • Delores DeCarlo Alexander

    1931-2008 Lesbian feminist writer and reporter Delores Alexander was born in Newark and worked for the Newark Evening News. Later she worked at Newsday, was the first executive director of NOW, and opened a feminist restaurant in New York. Delores was born Delores DeCarlo in Newark in 1931. She lived on Sylvan Ave (1940 and…

  • Delores Rich

    1948-1996 Delores Rich was President of the Aspen Riverpark Tenants Association, who did lots of organizing for tenants in the building. Tenants were forced out of the old Prudential Apartments to allow Aspen to renovate it. Delores and others organized to pressure the state to allow tenants to return and continually organized for better conditions…

  • Diane Sutton

    1941-2001 Co-owned Je’s Restaurant. The first restaurant in Downtown Newark founded by people of color. Mayor Sharpe James called her “the heart and soul of downtown Newark”. Photo from Newark NJ Memories. Bibliography Kukla, Barbara J. Newark Women: From Suffragettes to the Statehouse. Roberts, Reginald. “Diane Sutton the soul of southern cooking” Star Ledger Aug…

  • Dolores Collins Benjamin

    1913-2007 Founded the North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club. Founded in her Newark, N.J. home in 1939, the all-male African-American choral group is one of the nation’s longest continuously performing ensembles of its kind. Bibliography Obituary, News-Herald, December 14, 2007. Kukla, Barbara. Sounds of Music: The Dolores Collins Benjamin Story Kukla, Barbara. “Dolores Collins Benjamin Glee…

  • Dora G Roworth

    1885-1962 Dora G Roworth was the first woman to get a CPA license in the NJ on Dec 11, 1909. She was an officer in the NJ Society of CPAs and worked at 790 Broad St and later owned her own business on Commerce Street. In 1930 she lived at 891 S 16th St. Born…

  • Doris Thompson Dorsey

    1911-1985 Doris Dorsey was the first Black woman supervisor in the Newark Post Office in 1966. She was “the only woman in an 18 member section”. Doris had been a Postal employee since 1942. She worked supervising West Station 255 Springfield Ave, before she was named foreman in charge of the supply division. She grew…

  • Dorothea H Wingert

    1905-1990 Dorothea started writing for Newark newspapers in her teens. She wrote dozens of articles for a series on business and professional women in NJ in 1926-1927 when she was 21-22. In Jun 1926 she was placed in charge of the Call’s resort news bureau at Asbury Park. In 1934, she wrote several articles for the Newark…

  • Dorothy Gould

    1922 – 2015 Dorothy Gould was an early Black teacher, hired in 1943 for $144 a month at Cleveland Junior High as a “permanent sub” since Black teachers couldn’t be officially hired above primary level. One of her students was Mayor Gibson. Dorothy came to Montgomery Street School around 1967, and by the 1970s, she…

  • Dorothy Palmer

    c. 1893-1984 Dorothy Palmer operated the Dorothy Palmer School of dancing on Broadway in Newark for more than 50 years. She retired in 1963. Born in Newark, Dorothy attended Barringer High. She was member of the Dance Masters of America. She began teaching students at age 13 when she was at Elliot Street School. Bibliography…

  • Dorothy Turpin Smith

    1910-1987 Dorothy Turpin was an early Black teacher in the Newark Public Schools hired in 1945. She was eventually appointed Supervisor of vocal music for the Newark schools and retired after 30 years in 1975. Dorothy was also an organist and choir director for over 50 years, especially at First Baptist Peddie and Philips Metropolitan.…

  • Dorthaan Williams Kirk

    1938- Dorthaan Kirk was one of the first people hired by Newark’s jazz station WBGO and became the face of and a fierce advocate for the station. She served as Director of Community Relations and Special Events, among other roles over the years. Dorthann has promoted, curated and produced jazz events throughout the region. She…

  • Dr. Anna (Annie) T Nivison

    1835-1920 An 1868 graduate of the New York Medical College for Women, Annie T Nivison opened “The Homestead” a private hospital in Newark in 1872. It was at 565-567 Orange St and later 5 North 11th Street. It had 10 beds. Anna’s sister Mary Nivison served as the matron for several years. Anna wrote articles…

  • Dr. Anna M. Robinson Cross

    1856-1925 Anna Cross was a physician who traveled widely in the West and was very prominent in Crawford, Nebraska where she was a government surgeon, “physician to the Indians” and relief surgeon for the railroad. The Newark Star wrote, “[she had] a professional career in the West that…for thrilling situations has never been equaled by…

  • Dr. E. Mae McCarroll

    1898-1990 Dr. E Mae McCarroll was the first American American physician at Newark City Hospital in 1946. She said she was “pleased to represent the beginning of greater opportunities for Negro physicians in our city.” Mae practice for 44 years  in Newark. She was physician for the City of Newark from 1934. Mae received MS…

  • 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…

  • Dr. Eleanor (Ella) Haines

    c. 1845 – 1924 Dr. Eleanor Haines was the first woman admitted to the Essex County Medical Society, a branch of the Medical Society of NJ in 1876; the second woman admitted in the State, though she is often listed as the first. Eleanor practiced in Newark for over 50 years, one of the first…

  • Dr. Eva Topkins Brodkin

    1899-1994 Dr. Eva Brodkin was the first female board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey. She practiced in Newark from 1927 to 1977 and was also chief of dermatology at St. Barnabas Newark in the 1960s. Eva said being a doctor was, “the only thing I wanted to be.” “I always wanted to be a doctor, never…

  • Dr. Evelyn Boyden Darrell

    1923-2016 Evelyn Boyden Darrell was a Newark Black journalist, writing a national column for the Afro, and later the first Black woman psychologist at Bellevue Hospital in NYC. Evelyn Boyden was born in Newark in 1923 and graduated with the West Side High class of 1940. She lived on South 13th Street and Bruce Street…

  • Dr. Gertrude Ash Golat

    c. 1909-1980 Dr. Gertrude Golat was a graduate of University of Vienna Medical School, who came to Newark in 1939. For 25 years worked as a part time physician for the Newark Board of Education and in the 1960s led the drive for better sex education in Newark schools, creating a training program for teachers.…

  • Dr. Gwendolyn Goldsby Grant

    1935-2018 Dr. Gwendolyn Goldsby Grant was an advice columnist at Essence Magazine for over 25 years, writing the “Sexual Health” column. Essence called her “a legend in sexual health”. She wrote The best kind of loving : a black woman’s guide to finding intimacy Besides her writing, Gwendolyn taught at public schools in East Orange,…

  • Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps

    c. 1951- Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps grew up in Elizabeth and has a long connection to Newark. She graduated from Douglass College in 1973. Dr. Epps served as President and CEO of the NJ Historical Society, in Newark. She’s also served as a consultant to various colleges, funded by the Ford Foundation, and held various…

  • Dr. Marie Louise Lefort

    1874-1951 Newark native Dr Marie Lefort was the first woman appointed district physician for Newark from 1898-1902, significantly improving conditions in the city in her tenure. She said, “I believe there was no opposition to my appointment…although some members of the Board I understand, thought it was hardly work for a woman…However that may be…

  • Dr. Meta Anderson Post

    c. 1889-1942 Dr. Meta Anderson was the director of Special Education for the Newark Public Schools from 1922 until 1942 when she was killed in an accident. She entered the school system in 1910 as “head teacher of mentally defective classes” and became supervisor in 1914. Meta took a leave of absence from the schools…

  • Dr. Mildred Gregory

    1894-1975 Dr. Mildred Gregory practiced pediatrics in Newark and was Medical Director of Babies’ Hospital from 1949-1957. She was one of the first woman diplomates on the American Board of Pediatrics. Mildred was raised in Newark, living at 21 Roseville Ave. Mildred graduated Barringer in Jan 1912, Wellesley College and taught at Skidmore College until…

  • Dr. Rita Sapiro Finkler

    1888-1968 Dr. Finkler established and headed the endocrinology department at Beth Israel Hospital. This was the first endocrinology department in New Jersey. She also practiced medicine in Newark for 55 years and wrote over 70 papers. She was president of the NJ Women’s Medical Association and received the Woman of the Year award from the…

  • Dr. Sarah D. Smalley

    1875-1952 Dr. Sarah Smalley was native of Newark who practiced in Newark from 1900-1952, for 52 years. She was active in the Newark Equal Suffrage League and a charter member of Zonta International. She was active in the Essex County Medical Society, practicing at multiple hospitals. Sarah was educated in Newark and a graduate of…

  • Dr. Vera Schectman

    1890-1971 Vera Schectman the first woman doctor at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark. She was on the staff at Beth Israel through 1970 and had a practice in Newark. She was also medical examiner for the Civil Service Commission for many years and gave lectures on sex education to women and girls. Vera was a…

  • Duryee Family

    (Photo from FindAGrave, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery) The Duryee family was all heavily involved in missionary work – specifically the Women’s Board of Foreign Missions Reformed Church in America (WBFM of the RCA). Mary, Anna, Charlotte and Amy were sisters and Charlotte was their sister in law. They were very involved in North Reformed Church. From…

  • E. Alma Williams Flagg

    1918-2018 Alma Flagg was the first African American principal of an integrated school in Newark in 1964, in 1967 she was appointed assistant superintendent. She also wrote poetry. She was appointed principal after four teachers including Flagg accused the city of bias. The complaint was dismissed, however, she was appointed principal of Hawkins Street School…

  • Earlene Jackson Provit

    1945-2007 Junius Williams in his book “An Unfinished Agenda” states that Earlene Provit was a “community legend…I heard a story about Earlene fighting five cops and winning!” Earlene worked part time at a bar called the Pink Palace. Junius says, “I remember the first time I went to the Pink Palace. Earlene was wearing a…

  • Edwina Johnson Hale

    1933-2019 Alt names: Bailey, Manigault, Mason Edwina Johnson lived with her parents and siblings at 56 Ridgewood Ave in Newark and attended South Side High (now Shabazz). Her father was a taxi driver. In Jun of 1949, when she was 16, Edwina and her brother Marshall, along with their father, stopped in Montgomery, AL, on the…

  • Edythe Raabe

    1907-1977 Edythe Raabe was the first woman graduate of Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT) in 1930. She was the first woman in the United States to receive a degree in chemical engineering. The Sunday Call reported she was the only female student at the College in 1928. During college she was employed by Bamberger…

  • Effa Manley

    1897-1981 Effa Manley owned the Newark Eagles, championship winning Negro Leagues team with her husband Abraham Manley. She was very active in the running of the baseball team. There are several books written about her life including James Overmeyer’s “Queen of the Negro Leagues”. The Newark News wrote in 1942, “There is little she doesn’t…

  • Eleanor E Hamilton (Kingsley)

    1882-1956 Eleanor E Hamilton was superintendent and director of Presbyterian Hospital in Newark from at least 1927-1947. She was named Outstanding Woman of Year in Essex County in 1947. She was president of the NJ Hospital Association in 1937. Eleanor was as previously director of the Illinois Training School for Nurses and Superintendent of Miami…

  • Eleta Caldwell

    1945-2017 Eleta Caldwell was principal at Arts High School 1991-2003, previously Chair of Art and teacher at the school. Eleta was an artist who co-founded in the 1980s the “Black Women in Visual Perspective” Group which included Gladys Grauer. She exhibited at City Without Walls, and other galleries across the state and nation including MoMA…

  • Elitea Bulkley Allison

    c. 1913 -2007 Elitea was one of the early African Americans to work professionally at the Newark Public library after Theresa Moore. She was hired by Newark in 1938, according to Who’s Who, though the Newark News suggests 1940. By 1945, a Senior Children’s and Education Librarian, likely the first African American in this position…

  • Eliza A. Chase

    c. 1829-2 Jan 1880 Eliza Chase was the first principal of the Female Department of Newark High School in 1855. The 1938 Barringer yearbook wrote, “an inspiration to all her students when high school and college education for women was in its infancy”. She had poetry and short stories published, including in the Daily Advertiser.…