Category: Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy
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Emily Coe Jenkinson
1855-1922 Emily (Coe) Jenkinson (d. 1922) served as president of the Newark YWCA for more than 20 years. The Sunday Call listed her in 1922 as one of 50 people who had done the most for Newark. Emily was born in Newark to George and Mary Coe. The family moved to Fulton, Illinois. Both Emily’s…
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Gladys St. John Churchman
1902-1974 Gladys Churchman ran the Friendly Neighborhood House as Executive Director from 1945-1967. She was also part of the Churchman Funeral Home family. She was also involved in many other community efforts such as the YMCA and the Newark Preschool Council. She was a member of the Board of Education. Born Gladys St. John, Gladys…
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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…