1920-2000
Annette O’Flaherty served in leadership roles in labor, social service, county and city. She was president of the CIO Women’s League of New Jersey, a member of the Newark local assistance board, Essex County Manpower Office director and spokeswoman, and chairwoman of Newark Emergency Services for Families Homeless Task Force. She was also active with many other groups including the Salvation Army of Greater Newark.
Friends said, “Newark was her love” and “she had a total commitment” to the city. Audrey West said, “Tony came out of the labor movement and transferred all her talents to an area where she thought she could be most helpful.
Annette was a trade-union activist and president of the CIO Women’s League of New Jersey from the mid-1950s through the early 1960s. In 1955, she appeared on WATV on behalf of the CIO on a program “Who We Support in This Election”
By 1955, she was also a member and secretary of the three-member Local Assistance Board with the City of Newark (with Councilman Irvine I. Turner), which worked on policy for the Welfare Division. She served in this unpaid position at least through 1964.
By 1973, Anette was a public information officer for the Essex County Welfare Board. In 1973, she was appointed director of the new Essex County Manpower Office, to coordinate employment needs for the county, except in Newark. In this position she served as director of CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) for Essex County. The job involved getting federal grants and running for job training and other employment programs for the County. She served in this role until the program was reorganized in December 1978.
By 1982, Annette was public information officer for the Essex County Department of Citizen Services, and is also listed as spokeswoman or public information officer for the Welfare Division and Community Action in the 1980s.
Annette was chairwoman of the Newark Emergency Services for Families Homeless Task Force. In 1988, she co-chaired a conference “On Our Own, By With and For Homeless Women” with NESF. She was awarded for her work with NESF in 1991 and was still in the role in 1995.
Annette was chairwoman of Human Services Advisory Council for the Salvation Army of Greater Newark and worked with them from the 1960s on. In 1983, the Salvation Army honored her for her work.
Anette was an advisory board member for Isaiah House (E. Orange), United Way and the United Labor Agency. She was also a founding member of the Newark Preschool Council.
Annette was born in New York, attended Mt. Holyoke College and lived in Newark for 45 years. Her son Brendan (Dan) is a professor at Columbia who has done research on urban areas including Newark.
Bibliography
“Annette O’Flaherty was mom to many” Star Ledger Feb 17, 2000
Ken Gibson photo, Newark Library
Charles & Annette O’Flaherty Papers, NYU
“Newark Area Salvation Army Lauds 3” Star Ledger May 20, 1983
“Legal Notice” Star Ledger Jun 1, 1976
“NJ CIO Urges” Daily World Dec 16, 1958
“Study Ordered” Star Ledger July 22, 1955
“Scandal ridden relief bureau” Star Ledger Oct 14, 1955
“Weigh power of board” Star Ledger Sept 23, 1955
Ad WATV program Star Ledger Oct 31, 1955
“Want a Job?” Star Ledger Jun 7, 1964
“Office Created” Star Ledger Dec 12, 1973
“Manpower Trainees” Star Ledger Apr 17, 1975
“Panel Reviews” Star Ledger Dec 9, 1978
“Around Town” Star Ledger Jul 5, 1982
“Heat loss” Star Ledger Mar 19, 1985
“Newark called” Star Ledger Jan 9, 1986
“Conference targets” Star Ledger Nov 21, 1988
“Newark social agency” Star Ledger Jul 19, 1990
Kukla, Barbara, “Service Agency” Star Ledger Jul 29, 1991
“Holiday season” Star Ledger Nov 20, 1995
Also much coverage of City Local Assistance Board in Newark News: https://newark.historyarchives.online/