Category: People With Disabilities
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Ella Van Steenburgh
c. 1871 – 1958 Ella Van Steenburgh was a registered nurse, who ran a successful Nurse’s Home and registry business for over 40 years. In 1906, Ella graduated from Newark City Hospital School of Nursing: Class Photo here from Newark Library. She began working a hospital nurse, however, in 1908 she acquired spinal meningitis and…
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Leah Adele Neuhut
1877-1908 Leah Neuhut, born to a rabbi in Newark, was blind from birth and deaf from 1904. She was called, “one of the most remarkable blind women in the country”. Neuhut had a reputation as a pianist, author, and speaker. She advocated on behalf of the blind to the state government. She also advocated for…
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Mary and Louise Curcio
c. 1901-1973? , c. 1904-1987 The featured photo (above) is Mary Curcio, Daily News, 1931. Mary and Louise Curcio were two blind sisters born to Eva Bender and Paul Curcio in Newark. They lived on Morris Avenue. Mary entered school for the first time at Washington St. Public School when the first class for the…
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Gloria Jones Swieringa
1938- In 1956, Gloria Jones was believed to be the first blind student ever elected to the National Honor Society, while she was at Barringer High School. She was an A student and also involved in many clubs and planned to go to Boston University. She said, “I do not believe I could do anything…
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Lydia Young Hayes
1871-1943 Lydia Young Hayes was the first director of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind which had offices in Newark at 14 James St (now Audible). She became director in 1910 and served until 1937, when she served as a consultant until her retirement in 1942. As director she organized home teaching, workshops, and…
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Aneatha Dames Todd
1918-1998 Aneatha Dames Todd was vital in many civic organizations, especially within UMDNJ and United Hospitals. Black Mirror News called her “a voice for Newarkers”. She said, “I just have a desire to be part of things, rather than having things given to me. It may sound old fashioned but I still believe in doing…