c. 1915-2006
Came to the US in 1929 and Newark in 1940. Called the “Puerto Rican Mayoress of Newark”. Chief stewardess of Ruberset Co. union. Formed the first interracial Boy Scout troop at St. James. Specialist on Puerto Rican Affairs with the Newark Human Rights Commission from 1963-1981. Chairman of the City’s Advisory Council on Bilingual Programs. She retired in 1981 after 18 years. In the same year Peter Rodino said she had 40 years of community involvement in Newark, choosing her to represent the city at the White House Conference on Aging. After retirement she volunteered 6 days a week at the Immaculate Heart of St. Mary catacombs. She is credited on “The Puerto Ricans in Newark, NJ: A Study”
Photo credit La Tribuna Collection, Newark Library.
Bibliography
“Council Picks New Chairman” Star Ledger Dec 17, 1970
“Puerto Ricans Beam with Pride at Parade Banquet” Star Ledger Jul 30, 1979
Cummings, Charles. Puerto Ricans in Newark, ‘All the rights of citizens but considered immigrants’
“Event to honor rights worker” Star Ledger Mar 16, 1981
“Newark official chosen for parley” Star Ledger May 10, 1981
“Catacombs Restoration a labor of love” Daily Record. Jun 24, 1984.
“Marie E Gonzalez” Aug 4, 2006.
Newark Library Digitized Material (2)
“Second Base Not Good Enough for Her” Star Ledger Jan 22, 1963