Category: Born or raised in Newark (high school or before)
-
Griselda Ellis
1870- Sept 8, 1949 Griselda Ellis considered herself “Newark born and bred”. She was appointed Principal of the Girls Vocational School in 1914 and remained so until her retirement in 1927. She said, “If I had my life to live over again I would certainly go into teaching.” Griselda helped grow the school from 40…
-
Adelina “Addie” McIntyre Garris
1869 – 1936 Adelia McIntyre is cited by William Ashby and the Afro American as one of the earliest African American teachers in Newark. Adelina lived at 13 Academy St and 69 Plane St. She is listed as “Mulatto” on the 1880 census and “White” on the 1895 and 1930 Censuses. She atended Commerce Street…
-
Lettie Mae Mulford
1883-1970 *sometimes listed as “Lettie Mulford” or “May Mulford” Lettie Mae Mulford was a eacher in the Newark Public School System for 42 years. She was a daughter of the first African American Newark High School student Clara Mulford, and sister of nurse Eva Mulford. Lettie graduated Newark High School in 1901. In 1904, she…
-
Eva Mae Mulford
c. 1884-1886 to 1944 Eva Mae Mulford was a daughter of Clara Irene Mulford and lived in family house at 41 Chestnut. Eva was an early African American nurse associated with the Newark Board of Health. She was appointed in late 1917 or early 1918, it was reported in the Jan 1918 The Crisis that…
-
(Clara) Irene Pataquam Mulford
c.1854- 1945 In 1872, Clara Pataquam was the first African American pupil to attend the Newark High School. Previously African American students attended the Colored School. Clara had to sit alone in the last seat because she wasn’t allowed to sit next to a white pupil. However, she said she was treated with “consideration” and…
-
Marion Thompson Wright
1902-1962 Marion Thompson Wright was a graduate of Barringer High and the first African American woman in the US to earn a PhD in History, according to most sources. There is a Rutgers annual lecture series named in her honor. Marion wrote, “The Education of Negroes in New Jersey” and other works. Marion was one of…
-
Irene Rutherford O’Crowley
1885-1974 Irene Rutherford O’Crowley was an early woman lawyer, born in Newark. She attended Barringer High School and graduated from NJ Law School 1919 as Vice President of her class. In 1900, the family lived on Lombardy Street and Irene lived there at least through 1920 when she was in law school. Irene was the…
-
Carole Anderson Graves
1938- Carol Graves was President of the Newark Teacher’s Union and leader of the 1970/1971 Teachers’ Strikes. She was sentenced to 6 months in jail for her refusal to end the strike. She later ran for General Assembly and served as Essex County Register. Born Carole Anderson, Carole graduated Arts High in 1955. Carole was…