Category: Born or raised in Newark (high school or before)
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Gladys St. John Churchman
1902-1974 Gladys Churchman ran the Friendly Neighborhood House as Executive Director from 1945-1967. She was also part of the Churchman Funeral Home family. She was also involved in many other community efforts such as the YMCA and the Newark Preschool Council. She was a member of the Board of Education. Born Gladys St. John, Gladys…
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Sophie L Cooper
1912-1971 Sophie L Cooper was Newark’s first elected councilwoman, in the South Ward from 1957-1962. She was appointed unanimously by the Council after the death of her husband in Jan 1957, and then was elected in a special election in Nov 1957, and again in May 1958. After being elected she stated she wanted to…
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Beatrice Winser
1869-1947 Beatrice Winser was director of the Newark library and museum from 1929-1942 (only female library director until Wilma Grey!). She was also the first female member of the Newark Board of Education (1915). Born in Newark, Beatrice grew up in Germany where her father was stationed. She joined Newark library in 1889, becoming assistant…
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M. Bernadine Johnson Marshall
1923-1997 Marie B. Johnson, of Newark, was one of the first African American women in NJ to be admitted to the NJ bar in 1949 with Martha Belle Williams. When they graduated they made the front page of the Newark News and Bernadine said she had “dreamed of this since I was a little girl…Oh…
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Camille Sabie Malbrock
1902-1998 Camille Sabie won two gold medals in the 1922 World Games and later became a physical education teacher. Branford theater in Newark hosted Camille Sabie Night. She lived at 182 Jefferson St. At the 1922 World Games, Sabie broke her own world record in the 100-yard hurdles and also won the standing broad jump,…
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E. Alma Williams Flagg
1918-2018 Alma Flagg was the first African American principal of an integrated school in Newark in 1964, in 1967 she was appointed assistant superintendent. She also wrote poetry. She was appointed principal after four teachers including Flagg accused the city of bias. The complaint was dismissed, however, she was appointed principal of Hawkins Street School…
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Louise Shugard
1870-1951 Louise Shugard was known as “the most prominent woman in Newark”. Her obituary said she was, “long a leader in welfare work in Newark.” She said, “Why it is not work for me, it is a joy to do things for those adorable babies down at the nursery…I would probably be a discontented, sour…
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Jennie Precker
1892-1981 Jennie Precker founded the nation’s first woman’s bank the Susan B. Anthony Building & Loan Association. It was the first bank in the world whose officers, directors, counsel & staff were all female! It was founded in 1923. The bank was founded at 1186 Raymond Blvd and named after Susan B. Anthony. The bank…