c. 1877-1966
Mary C. Woody became the first licensed female funeral director in NJ in Newark in 1913. She opened a funeral home that bears her name in Orange, which is open to this day.
Mary was born in Virginia and moved to Washington DC and then Newark with her husband, where her husband established the David Woody Funeral Home on Plane Street (now University Ave.). Mary attended nursing school and was a nurse before marriage.
Mary was also a member of St. John’s for 40+ years, and a lifetime member of the Urban League and NAACP, the Independent Funeral Directors and the Neighborhood Sunshine Club. She was longtime treasurer for the Orange NAACP.
In 1913, “Mrs. Mary Woody” is listed as assistant secretary for the colored branch of the Women’s Political Union, a suffrage group led by Blanche Harris.
Bibliography
Cummings, Charles. “The List of Firsts: African Americans Who Pioneered the Way” Star Ledger. Feb. 12 1998
“Our History” Woody Home for Services
“Mrs. Mary C. Woody, former funeral directory” Star Ledger Nov 1, 1966
“Mrs. Woody Dead at 92” Newark News Nov 1, 1966
“Orange NAACP Relects SA Williams President” Newark News Jan 12, 1949
“Colored Women Suffragists Elect” Newark News Nov 13, 1913