Category: Education, Museums and Libraries
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(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…
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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…
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Julia Baxter Bates
c. 1917-2003 Julia Bates was the first African American student at Douglass College, followed by a career of teaching and research. A coworker said, “She was truly a pioneer and an unsung heroine.” Julia Baxter Bates was the first African-American student admitted to Douglass College. Douglass admitted her without realizing her race, but accepted her…
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Marian C Manley
1892-1977 Marian C Manley ran Newark’s Business Library, a branch of the Public Library from 1926-1954. She retired in Oct 1954. Under her leadership the Business Library was known far and wide for excellent service. Said her employees when she retired, “Life was kind to have placed us under the supervision of Marian C Manley…there…
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Alma C Mitchill
c. 1893-1960 A Brooklyn native, Alma Mitchill came to Newark 2 years after graduation. She served as librarian at PSE&G in Newark until her retirement in 1955. She increased their circulation by many times. She had many roles in the Special Libraries Association and became the NJ President from 1935-1937 and 1947-1949 and the National…
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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…
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Florence Peshine Eagleton
1870-1953 Florence Eagleton was active in suffrage and a civic leader in NJ. She was a lifelong Newark resident. Florence Peshine Eagleton a suffragist who was was vice President of the NJ Suffrage Association and president of the Woman’s Political Union. She was a founder of the New Jersey League of Woman Voters. Florence was…
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Audrey Harris West
Audrey Harvey Massiah Harris West 1927-2003 Audrey West worked for the Essex County Welfare Dept and then became Director of the Division of Welfare for Newark after Grace Malone, in 1969. She said, “I took this position because I wanted to get closer to the problems of Newark and that is where the real social…