1916-1963
Altha Bleach Alston was the first Black women state parole officer in New Jersey. In 1941, she supervised Black girls in Essex County after they were released from state custody. A 1941 profile said she was fond of her work which enabled her to “aid girls”. Her office was in the Newark Hall of Records.
Altha was born in Georgia and graduated Fisk University in 1935, after which she came to Newark. She attended the New York School of Social Work. In Newark she lived at 97 Peabody Place.
After working for the State Board of Parole over 20 years, Altha began working for the Newark Department of Health in the same capacity.
Altha was a member of the North Newark Community Council, Eastern Star, National Association of College Women, the Republican County Committee and 13th Ave Presbyterian Church. Her daughter Franotie Washington was head of visual arts at the Newark Public Schools.
Bibliography
Harrington, Lucye “Woman at Work” Afro American Mar 15, 1941
“Mrs. Altha Alston, social worker”, Star Ledger, Aug 21, 1963
“Anybody miss…” Star Ledger Sept 12, 1952
“Mrs. John Alston Was Social Worker” Newark News Aug 20, 1963