Category: Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy
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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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Bernice Bass
1926-2000 Bernice Bass (right) had a major presence in the city’s music, radio, & political scenes. Bernice had a Sunday evening radio program on WNJR: News & Views playing gospel, commentary and interviews, causing the Star Ledger to call her, “one of the city’s most influential newswoman” upon her death. She interviewed both Martin Luther…
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Mrs. (Lena) Parker O. Griffith
c. 1880-1960 Mrs. (Lena) Parker O. Griffith (c. 1880-1960) created the Griffith Music Foundation which brought nationally recognized musicians to Newark and sponsored educational programs and a yearly student music contest. Lena was active in promoting music from the 1930s and organized the foundation in 1938. She was also an organizer of the Essex County…
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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 Levell Lemon
1913-1982 Jennie Lemon ran for city council in 1969. She founded the Jennie Lemon Civic Association. She served as president of Zion Towers tenants association, advocating for tenants. She was active in the NAACP, serving in many roles, including as the county’s membership and political action chairman. She advocated for minorities, senior citizens, and the…
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Mary Beasley Burch
1906-2001 Mary Beasley Burch founded the Leaguers non-profit focused on the development of African American youth & was the first African American woman to serve on the Newark Board of Ed. & NJ State Parole Board. She was on the board of Essex County College and contributed to its founding. The theater at ECC is…
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Musette Brooks Gregory
1876-1921 Musette Gregory was a suffragist and activist. She was a leader in the Urban League of Newark and Vice President of the Newark Branch of the NAACP. She was on the Executive Committee of the New Jersey Suffrage Ratification Committee during the suffrage struggle. Musette was secretary of the NJ State Federation of Colored Womens…
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Caroline Bamberger Fuld
1864-1944 Caroline Bamberger Fuld, sister of Louis Bamberger, helped found famed Newark store Bamberger & Co. She devoted her later life to philanthropy, throughout Newark incl. Jewish & African American groups & helped found the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton. Caroline donated frequently to the Mosque theater and donated 5,000 cherry trees to Branch…