Category: Education, Museums and Libraries

Bernice Schneiderman Edelcreek

Mar 2, 2023

in 1910-1929 (Born), Athletics, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries, Jewish Women

1927-2015 Bernice Edelcreek was a lifelong Newark teacher who said “Newark was the only place I ever really wanted to teach.” Bernice was a physical education teacher and was named Newark’s Teacher of the Year in 1994. She said, “I am particular concerned…with youngsters who are having difficulty accomplishing the skills which are required in…
Evelyn Silverstein Simpson

Mar 1, 2023

in Artists, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries, Jewish Women

1931-2021 Newark space planner, interior designer, teacher and potter. Graduate of Weequahic High School and Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art. Lived on Renner Ave during highschool. She tudied ceramics at the Newark Museum, among other places, and studied at Edison State College, Pratt Institute and Parsons with concentrations in architecture, planning, and design.…
Eva Hodgson

Feb 21, 2023

in 1910-1929 (Born), African Americans, Education, Museums and Libraries, Immigrant (born outside the Continental US)

1924-2020 Eva Hodgson was an internationally known Bermudian activist, union leader and author (read more here). However, she had an important Newark connection and was in Newark for a significant time period. In 1969, during the first years of Essex County College Ms. Hodgson was coordinator of Black Studies. Essex County was the first public…
Everane (Eva) Crump Harris

Feb 14, 2023

in 1910-1929 (Born), Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

1913-2006 Eva Harris was born in Pleasantdale, NJ but lived in Newark by 1930 and in the Ironbound at 101 Hawkins St by 1950, after her first husband died. She lived in the Ironbound for the rest of her life. Eva Harris was a teacher’s aide at Hawkins Street School for many years. She was…
Willie Belle Hooper

Jan 18, 2023

in 1890-1909 (Born), African Americans, Education, Museums and Libraries, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

1906-1999 Willie Belle Cooper was born in Georgia (maiden name: Saunders) and attended school, including getting a teaching certificate in Florence, S.C, after which she taught in several rural schools. According to her daughter, Newark would not accept her teaching certificate. In her oral history she says she tried to get “in school” and couldn’t…
Anna Lois Russ Jones

Jan 9, 2023

in 1910-1929 (Born), African Americans, Athletics, Community Activists, Education, Museums and Libraries, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

1911-1987 Anna Jones was the mother of Amiri Baraka who was active in the community in education and civic activism, and a champion sprinter in her youth. She was also administrator of Community Hospital, Newark’s Black hospital, for many years. Born in Alabama, Anna lived in Newark from around 1926. She attended Tuskegee, Fisk, and…
J. Isabelle Sims

Jan 4, 2023

in 1870-1889 (Born), Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

c. 1873-1952 J Isabelle Sims was a prolific Newark social worker and lifelong Newarker. Isabelle directed Fresh Air Fund Camps for 32 years and would travel to be at the Summit camp even when in a wheelchair in later life. She was an executive of 1923 Community Chest Campaign and director of the Newark Welfare…
Marie Wolfs

Nov 2, 2022

in 1870-1889 (Born), Education, Museums and Libraries, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

1885-1986 Marie Wolfs was a Vice Principal of South Side High School for more than 30 years until her retirement in 1951. However, she had a very exciting life outside the school. In 1914, she and her sister Helen, who also worked at South Side, were caught in the bombing of Liege, Belgium. According to…