Category: Phyllis Wheatley Society
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Josephine Belle Janifer
1925-2018 Born in Montclair, Josephine Janifer was a counselor for the Newark Job Corp and in 1965 Exec Director of the Newark Preschool Council. In 1979, she became the first Director of the…
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Rose S. Ray Moryck
c. 1858 -1942 Mother of Brenda Moryck. One of the first colored teachers and principals in NJ, according to her obituary in the New York Age (She hasn’t been found in the Board…
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Maggie Clay Beckett
c. 1892-1972 Founded the James H. Beckett funeral home with her husband. President of the New Jersey State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs 1943-1947, as well as Vice President. She was the first…
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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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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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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…
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Mildred Miller Free
1893-1939 Prominent in church and women’s circles. Active in St. Philips Church and the NJ State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs of which she was Recording Secretary and Financial Secretary. Active in the…
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Marcia King Stillwell
c. 1846- Feb 13, 1929 Daughter of Mary Thompson King. Sister of Harriet and Ellen King. Marcia King was First Assistant to James Baxter from at least 1865 (first year its listed in…