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 1943.
Bertell was also president of the American Council on Human Rights, and first president of the New Jersey Council for Negro Women. She was chairman of the Tuberculosis Television Film Council and on the board of the Newark Children’s Aid Society. She was secretary of the NJ Unit of American Women in Radio and Television.
Bertell received the 2nd Ernest Doane Easton Award for Tuberculosis Control, Franklin D Roosevelt Award for Participation in Community Life, and National Negro Business and Professional Women’s Council’s Sojourner Truth Award for community service.
Bertell was previously Secretary of the Montclair YMCA.
Bibliography
W-25, Wright, Mrs. Bertell C., Newark News Morgue, Newark Library (see below)
National Negro Health News, 1941
Death notice, Atlanta Constitution, March 10, 1993
“Health Educator Will Be Honored” Montclair Times Jul 10, 1958
“Negro Women Will Receive Charter Here” Montclair Times Dec 2, 1954
City Directories