Category: African Americans
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Mary Womble Spruel
1906-1988 An early Black teacher, hired in 1945 (see Timeline, bottom of page here). Born and raised in Montclair and taught for a total of 48 years, mostly in Newark. Had a masters and…
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Dorothy Turpin Smith
1910-1987 An early Black teacher, hired in 1945 (see Timeline, bottom of page here). Was eventually appointed Supervisor of Music for Vocal Instruction for Newark. Retired after 30 years in 1975. Was an…
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Sarah Elizabeth Collins Houston
1896-1986 Grandmother of Whitney Houston. Born in California in 1896 but lived in Newark on Beach St by the time she was 14. Her father was minister at St. James AME Church. She…
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Newark Policewomen Class of 1949
Photo from Star Ledger shows women in training, May 1949. Though police matrons existed and 12 policewomen were listed as acting as of 1947 including Claire Gonzales, Josephone B Renz, and Mary Knapp,…
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Olive A Mathews Summers
1876-1911 Born and raised in Newark. Lived at 192 Charlton St. New York Age called a “much beloved public school teacher”. She graduated the Normal School in 1898. Assistant in the Colored School…
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Emily B Thomas
1870-1924 Assistant teacher to James Baxter at the Colored School from at least 1888. Spent most of her teaching career at Commerce Street School. Member of the Phyllis Wheatly Society. In 1900, lived…
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Alma Beatty
1940-2015 Vice President of Community Affairs at Beth Israel. Beth Israel calls her “a trailblazer in our community”, She was the founder and coordinator of Beth Israel’s annual health and wellness fair. It…
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Irene E Morris
1900-1953 Irene Morris worked for the Board of Health for over 25 years. She graduated from Mercy Hospital in Philadelphia with the class of 1922. Listed as a nurse in city directories from…