Category: Born or raised in Newark (high school or before)
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Margaret Brydon Laird
1871-1968 Margaret Laird was a leader in the women’s suffrage movement and NJ’s first Assemblywoman, elected with Jennie C. Van Ness. She was born in Newark and lived there most of her life. She attended Newark schools and graduated the Newark City Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1895 and lived in Newark until the…
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Rebecca Newby
1919/1920-2005 Born in Alabama, raised in Newark, Newby attended Robert Treat and West Side High, where she was a member of the Glee Club and voted most likely to succeed vocally. She lived at 115 Wickliff in 1940. Newby designed and made dresses and was known as a fashion model. She studied fashion at Pratt…
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Geneva, Helena and Gertrude Turman
The three Turman sisters performed with their brother Buddy in nighclubs around Newark and New York. Gertrude Turman performed in Newark nightclubs as a “shake dancer”. Helena also specialized in dance. Geneva Turman was a popular soloist. They lived on Chester Ave in Newark as children. Helena Turman 1914-1970 Besides family performances, danced in shows…
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Louise A Stewart Spencer
1916-1971 Louise A Spencer was director of the (combined) Newark Parent Teachers Associations. She was vice President of the Newark March of Dimes and served on the Essex County PTA. She was a member of the Baxter Terrace Youth Organization, Baxter Terrace Tenement League and North District Public Commission Council. Louise A Spencer Elementary School,…
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Fannie W Sweasy Smith
c. 1851 – 1923 Fannie W Smith was the only Newark women to attend the International Congress for Women in 1915, representing the New Jersey branch of the Woman’s Peace Party. Fannie also served as Vice Principal of Newton Street School, teaching in Newark for 40 years. Her sister Augusta was Vice Principal of Lincoln…
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Sarah Ward
Feb 1833 – Feb 16, 1907 Sarah Ward is the namesake of the Sarah Ward Day Nursery, which has been in operation since 1892. The story states that she began caring for several children and soon had dozens in her care. The property at 27 Jay Street, where it still stands today, was donated soon…
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Rosa L Sears Scudder
c. 1852 – 28 Jan 1930 Rosa Sears was the mother of Clara Scudder, piano prodigy. Rosa taught in the Colored School with James Baxter from at least 1870 until her marriage to David Scudder in 1873 and is still listed under her maiden name as a teacher in the 1874 city directory. Rosa’s sister…
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Julia A. Mason Voorhees
c. 1867-May 4, 1915 Julia Mason was the only student from the Colored School to test into the High School in 1880 with an 82.7%, higher than many other students. She was the first Black student to graduate from the High school, directly from the Colored School, since 1877. When she graduated in 1884, the…