Category: Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy
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Rose Danzis Parsonnet
c. 1900-2003 Rose Danzis was the daughter of Max Danzis, a founder of Beth Israel Hospital and Jennie Danzis, Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. She was married to Eugene Parsonnet, a cardiologist, and her son was Victor Parsonnet, renowned heart surgeon. Rose was involved with music throughout her life, “The house was filled with a Steinway grand,…
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Laura Champenois Wright Hedden
c. 1860-1950 Laura Hedden was a pioneer in the boys club movement in the 1930s and 1940s, establishing the first Boys Club on Halsey Street in 1908. In 1908, Star Eagle called her “one of the best known philanthropic women among the leaders of Newark’s social set.” Laura helped establish Excelsior Boys Club and the…
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Marie Antoinette Quinby
1848-1909 Marie Quinby was very active in Newark civic life, the Newark News called her a “leader in Newark society”. She was founder and President of the Women’s Branch of the NJ Historical Society. Marie also managed or was on the board of various organizations including the Colonial Dames and the Daughters of the American…
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Violet Johnson
1870-1939 Violet Johnson was a civic leader and suffragist in Summit. She was active in the New Jersey Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and the New Jersey Women Suffrage Association. Violet Johnson’s life has been expertly chronicled in Betty Livingston Adam’s book Black Women’s Christian Activism and her biographical sketch linked below. Bibliography Adams, Betty…
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Florence Spearing Randolph
1866-1951 Florence Randolph was a suffragist, ordained minister and clubwomen. She was organizer of the NJ Federation of Colored Womens’s Clubs. Randolph’s life has been covered widely in several publications including the sources below. In Newark, Randolph was pastor of AME Zion Church. Florence lived in Jersey City for many years and died there in…
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Bertell Collins Wright
1908-1993 Bertell Collins Weight was resident of the Essex County Tuberculosis League, based in Newark at 42 Park Place. She was sometimes called “Director of Negro Health Work” or “Executive Secretary”. Bertell worked there from 1938-1958. She lived at 69 Somerset St in Newark from at least 1935 (likely from her marriage in 1934), until…
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Frances “Fannie” Traphegen Rippel
1860-1943 Frances Rippel was president of the Home for Aged and Respectable Women from 1929-1934, and a longterm board member and volunteer. Frances was president of the Heidelberg Guild of the First Reformed Church. She was also active in the Newark Museum, NJ Historical Society and Daughters of the American Revolution. She worked for the…
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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…