Category: Social Work and Philanthrophy
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Hannah Mandeville
1811-1902 Born into slavery, one of the first members of the African American Plane St. Church and active in the church. Her obituary (see: Black Power 19th Century) said she was “well known…
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Rebecca Andrade Doggett
1941- Founder of Tri City People’s Corp. First Director of the Essex County Office of Citizen’s Services, the founding Executive Director of the Head Start Program and the Newark Preschool Council, and the…
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Mollie Dawkins
1908-1984 Mollie Dawkins was co-organizer of the Dawkins Civic Association, worked for the Housing Authority and worked with South Side First Aid Squad & Sunshine Teleservice for senior citizens. In 1976 she received…
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Nellie Grier
c. 1900-1984 Mrs. Nellie Grier, who was known as “Mother Grier” in Newark, founded and directed the senior center on Clinton Ave (now named after her) and organized the Newark Senior Citizens Council.…
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Grace Baxter Fenderson
1882-1962 Grace Baxter Fenderson (1882-1962) was one of the first African American teachers in the Newark Public Schools and taught for 42 years, helped found the Newark Branch of the NAACP and served…
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Leila Gardner
1914-1993 Leila Gardner was executive director of the Newark Traveler’s Aid Society. She was the first African-American in the nation to head a Travelers Aid unit. She later worked for Family Services. Born…
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Pryno B Hillman
c. 1916-1964 Pryno B. Hillman (c. 1916-1963) founded the Mary Bethune Social Club, was an organizing and creative director of arts at Central Avenue Community Center, was first president of the Newark branch…
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Vera Brantley McMillon
1909-1987 Vera McMillon worked for the Public Welfare Department for 37 years retiring as a Supervisor, co-founded Tri City People’s Organization for Progress and a branch of the National Council for Negro Women.…