Mildred Morris Williams

Aug 31, 2022

in 1890-1909 (Born), African Americans, Education, Museums and Libraries

1905-1958

Mildred Morris was one of the early Black teachers in Newark. In 1938 the Herald News called her “one of Newark’s popular school teachers”, “charming” and a “member of one of New Jersey’s outstanding families”. She taught at Abington Ave School, in 1st grade, for most of her career, teaching briefly at Belmont Ave,

Mildred was born in Newark and sister of Irene E Morris, daughter of Estelle Morris.

Mildred was an active member of the Beaux Arts club including participating in it’s theater productions, her acting was called “professional” by the New York Age. She also performed with the Bank Street Players.

Mildred was also a member of St. Philips Church, Phi Delta Kappa, and ‘I Double U’ Bridge and active in the YMCA and NAACP. She was organist at Pilgrim Baptist Church.

In 1923 Mildred was a founder of The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. while at Jersey City Normal School. She was a minor so her mother Estelle signed the founding document.

Mildred was listed as “Mulatto” on the 1910-1920 census, but “Negro” on the 1930 census.

Mildred married in 1938 and placed 3rd in the Mrs. Crispus Attucks Contest in 1943. She graduated Barringer High in 1921, the Newark Normal School and Newark Teacher’s College (1940), with a Masters from Seton Hall (Obit). She had taken special courses at NYU and Columbia (New York Age, 1938).

Bibliography

Kukla, Barbara Defying the Odds.

New York Age Newark, NJ columns May 31, 1930

“Beaux Arts Club in Newark Gives Plays” New York Age May 31, 1930

Census records

“News of the Schools” Newark News Jun 29, 1924

https://www.nspdk.org/history

“Barringer’s 80th Class Graduates 110” Newark News Jun 24, 1921