1893-1969
Marietta (Mariette) Louise Glass was a lifelong Newark resident and leader in community affairs, serving on several statewide boards.
Marietta was born in Newark and attended St. Mary’s in Newark and St. Ann’s in Wilkesbarre, PA before graduating Barringer in 1909 and Barnard in 1913. Her parents were separated and she lived with her mother, two sisters, and grandparents at 574 High Street.
In Newark, Marietta served on the executive unit of the Newark Citizen’s Committee on Municipal Govt which led the drive for the new Newark charter. She was vice chairman of the Newark chapter of the Red Cross in the 1940s and headed its Home Service division through 1951, also co-chairing the women’s division of annual appeals. For one year, she co-chaired the United Appeals. In 1939, she helped organize and was president of the Weequahic Adult School. She was also long active in the Contemporary Club of Newark
Marietta was a member of the Newark Council of Girl Scouts for 20 years, receiving an award in 1953 for outstanding service. She was a board member and president of the Newark Exchange for Woman’s Work.
Marietta was an organizer and Vice President of the Essex County Symphony Society which put on concerts in the 1930s and 1940s.
In Essex County, in 1943, Marietta served on the first Grad Jury which included women. Later she was a member of the organizing committee and a director of the Grand Jury Association of Essex County. She was on the Advisory Committee of the Essexfield Group Rehabilitation Center.
Marietta served on the State Board of Child Welfare from 1938-1956, serving as treasurer for several years. In 1957 she served on the board for the Department of Institutions and Agencies. She also served as president of the NJ Child Caring Group. She was a member of the NJ Adult Education Council and the Citizens State Committee on Education.
During World War II Marietta was a member of the British War Relief Committee and Defense Savings Committee for NJ, and headed the women’s division of the USO campaigns and a trustee of the state USO fund. In 1950, Marietta was appointed an official observer at the United Nations by the National Council of Catholic Women. She chaired the Mt. Carmel Study Guild Group of the United Nations from 1947 to 1950.
Marietta was also active in the American Association of University Women, organizing the New Jersey division, serving as state president, and serving as president of the Essex County College Women’s Club.
Marietta served as president of the a Kempis Catholic women’s organization, from 1932 to 1936 and helped organize the Junior a Kempis and established an a Kempis fund at what is now Catholic University in Washington. She was a member of the Exec Board of the NJ Region, National Conference of Catholics, Jews and Protestants. In 1942, she received the Outstanding Catholic Award during Essex County Brotherhood Week. She was a member of the executive committee of the National, Catholic Community Services.
Marietta loved music and traveling and also collected children’s books. She lived in multiple addresses in Newark after marriage including 45 Clinton Avenue, 45 Johnson Ave, and 375 Mt. Prospect Ave.
Bibliography
“Mrs. Barkhorn, Civic Leader” Newark News Oct 15, 1969
Barnard 1913 yearbook, Ancestry.com
“Ms. ML Glass Seashore Bride” Newark Evening Star Sept 9, 1914
“Dr. Barkhorn and Miss Gless Wed” Newark News Sept 9, 1914
“Catholics to Hear UN Observer” Courier News Feb 9, 1953
“To Sponsor Symphony” Morning Call Apr 11, 1939
“She Leads 4500 Red Cross Helpers” Newark News Jan 11, 1942
“First Essex Women Drawn for Jury” Newark News Mar 22, 1943
Censuses 1910-1950