c. 1885-1947
In 1918, Margaret Dugan, Justina Eller and Etta Fallon were appointed as Newark’s first policewomen and only policewomen for a long period afterwards. Born in Harrison, Margaret was a store detective before being appointed to the police.
She was appointed director of the juvenile bureau and promoted to sergeant in 1943, with Etta Fallon, again the first women to do so. The newspaper stated they were considering promoting her to lieutenant.
In 1925, she made the headlines of the Newark News defending flappers saying bobbed hair had little to do with delinquency. She also agreed movies had little to do with juvenile delinquency.
Bibliography
Newark News Morgue, Newark Library (reproduced below)
“Police Women Observe Life’s Seamy Side for 27 Years” Star Ledger May 19, 1946
