Marguerite L. Gates

1885-1965 Born in MA, attended Mt. Holyoke College and then came to work at Newark Library in 1907 for John … More

Dr. Sarah D. Smalley

1875-1952 A native of Newark who practiced in Newark from 1901-1952. She was active in the Newark Equal Suffrage League … More

Dr. Rita Sapiro Finkler

1888-1968 Dr. Finkler established and headed the endocrinology department at Beth Israel Hospital. This was the first endocrinology department in … More

Duryee Family

(Photo from FindAGrave, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery) All heavily involved in missionary work – specifically the Women’s Board of Foreign Missions … More

Jessie Yearance Cann

1882-1964 First woman to gain a Phd in Chemistry at Columbia. She was born in Newark to Frank (Newark alderman) … More

Elizabeth Nelligan Hughes

1870 – 1953 President of the Police Matron’s Benevolent Association. Matron of the 4th Precinct Station. Though she was a … More

Olive A Mathews Summers

1876-1911 Born and raised in Newark. Lived at 192 Charlton St. New York Age called a “much beloved public school … More

Emily B Thomas

1870-1924 Assistant teacher to James Baxter at the Colored School from at least 1888. Spent most of her teaching career … More

Mary Dennis Poland

c. 1873-1947* Born in Ohio, Mrs. Poland was the wife of state superintendent Addison Poland. However, she was accomplished in … More

Hamilton Family

Laura Bland Hamilton 1853-1952 Born into slavery in VA. Came to Newark after the Civil War with her sister and … More

Linda H. Morley and Adelaide C. Kight

1885-1972, 1889-1972 Linda Morley was head of the business branch of Newark Public Library after Sarah Ball and before Marian … More

Sarah Bedell Ball

1879-1962 Head of Newark’s business library from 1907-1917 or 1919. Inducted into Special Library hall of fame in 1959 with … More

Sara Jane Ash

1886-1973 One of only two woman engineers at NJ Bell Telephone Company as of 1937. Started in 1902. Born in … More

Helen Berry

c. 1878-1941 Very active in Essex County Republican politics and a member of the Essex County Board of Elections. From … More

Grace Oliver Duryee

c. 1874 – 1945 Grace Duryee headed the East Side Day Nursery for 31 years. She worked closely with philanthropist … More

Justina Eller

1886-1939 Justina Eller was the third policewoman appointed in 1918 with Margaret Dugan and Etta Fallon. They were the first … More

Margaret P. McMahon Dugan

c. 1885-1947 In 1918, Margaret Dugan, Justina Eller and Etta Fallon were appointed as Newark’s first policewomen and only policewomen … More

Violet Johnson

1870-1939 Civic leader and suffragist in Summit. Active in the New Jersey Federation of Colored Womens Clubs and the New … More

Esther Newman

c. 1883 – 1901 First woman graduate of the NJ College of Pharmacy along with Emma Egge. Graduated in April … More

Emma Egge Oschwald

c. 1883-1960 Born in Newark, first woman to graduate the NJ College of Pharmacy in Newark, along with Esther Newman … More

Theresa Kraker Guthrie

c. 1889-1959 Lived in Newark from at least 1910. Founder of the Chronically Ill Service of Essex County. Board member … More

Margaret Douglas Haines

1884-1966 Lifelong resident of Newark. Member of the General Assembly 1949-1953. Taught at Garfield and Avon Ave Schools. Canteen worker … More

Clara Zahn

1870-1953 Born in Newark, attended Newark Public Schools and Newark Normal School. First woman principal of a grammar school. Appointed … More

Fannie Rosencrantz

1881-? Called by the Evening Star the first female dentist in Newark. Born in Russia. Graduated the Pennsylvania College of … More

Laura Mayo Wilson

1871-1963 First woman to graduate the New Jersey Law School, along with Lulu Kinsgsland Garrabrant (who was never admitted to … More

Mina C. Ginger Van Winkle

1875-1930 Well known suffragist. Her mother Hilda is listed in Newark from at least 1889 (“H Ginger, watches”). She graduated … More

Dr. Mildred Gregory

1884-1975 Raised in Newark. Graduated Wellesley and taught at Skidmore College until 1924. Then attended Columbia College of Physicians graduating … More

Griselda Ellis

1870- Sept 8, 1949 *NJ Death Index starts again in 1950, mentioned in Bernardsville News “Griselda Ellis of Newark” Aug … More

Lettie Mae Mulford

1883-1970 *sometimes listed as “Lettie Mulford” or “May Mulford” Teacher in the Newark Public School System for 42 years. A … More

Eva Mae Mulford

c. 1884-1886 to 1944 Daughter of Clara Irene Mulford. Lived in family house at 41 Chestnut. Early African American nurse … More

Anna Luella Seager

c.1887 -1957 Associate supervisor of the Newark Normal School and later Associate Professor Education at New Jersey State Teacher’s College. … More

Charlotte Kroll

1872-1958 Owner of Domestic Art Rooms 149 Washington St., teaching china painting. Buried by St. John’s Church Newark. Also imported … More

Mary Philbrook

1872-1958 First female attorney admitted to the bar in New Jersey. Practiced in Newark for many years. Bibliography “New Jersey … More

Irene Rutherford O’Crowley

1885-1974 Born in Newark, early woman lawyer. Attended Barringer High School. Graduated from NJ Law School 1919 as VP of … More

Mabel F Thomas

1887-1974 Early female dentist in Newark. Worked for Dr. C A Spahn and then practiced on her own. She began … More

Janet MacRorie

1887-1950 Assistant ad manager for PSE&G for 10 years. Pioneer in setting up standards and polices for commercial radio programs. … More

Florence Peshine Eagleton

1870-1953 Born and died in Newark. Vice President of the NJ Suffrage Association, president of the Woman’s Political Union. Founder … More

Armita Harris Douglas

1874-1958 President, New Jersey Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. Helped organize the NAACP and the Urban League in Newark and … More

Eleanor E Hamilton (Kingsley)

1882-1956 Eleanor E Hamilton was superintendent and director of Presbyterian Hospital in Newark from at least 1927-1947. She was name … More

Jessie L. Creamer Cone

1880-1965 Feb 1898 Class of Newark High School. She attended the Women’s College of Baltimore and graduated in 1903. She … More

Dr. Meta Anderson

c. 1889-1942 Dr. Meta Anderson was the director of Special Education for the Newark Public Schools from 192 until 1942 … More

Lilian McNamara Garis

1873-1954 Wrote for the Newark News in charge of “Women’s Work”, their first female reporter. Married Howard Garis and wrote … More

Grace Murphy

1882-1966 Founded Murphy Funeral Home on Roseville Avenue and operated it until her death. Her obituary listed her as one … More

Clara L Scudder

1874-1930 Clara L Scudder was very accomplished on the piano and organ. She learned from her father David Scudder who … More

Augusta Parsonnet

1870-1949 President, Women’s Political Union of New Jersey; President, League of Women Voters of Newark. Lived in Weequahic and Lincoln … More

Mary C. Woody

c. 1877-1966 Mary C. Woody became the first licensed female funeral director in NJ in Newark in 1913. She opened … More

Cecil I Dorrian

1882-1926 Cecil I. Dorrian (1882-1926) was a war reporter for the Newark News (WWI). She wrote a weekly column and … More

Melinda Scott

1876-1954 Melinda Scott was an English immigrant and President of a Hat Trimmers Union in Newark & worked for suffrage … More

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 … More

Etta Fallon

1880-1960 Etta Fallon was the first women policewoman with Margaret Dugan and Justina Eller in 1918 and they were the … More

Sarah Kussy

1870-1956 Sarah Kussy was a prolific Jewish leader. She helped found many Jewish orgs. in Newark and nationally. In Newark, … More

Amelia (Berndt) Moorfield

1876-1950 Amelia (Berndt) Moorfield (1876-1950), was a suffragette from Newark, with the Women’s Political Union. Her parents were German immigrants. … More

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 … More

Dr. Marie Louise Lefort

1874-1951 Newark native Dr Marie Lefort was the first woman appointed district physician for Newark from 1898-1902, significantly improving conditions … More

Dora G Roworth

1885-1962 Dora G Roworth was the 1st woman to get a CPA license in the NJ in 1909. She was … More

H. Blanche Harris

1878-1956 (Thanks to George Robb who did much research on Harris). Blanche Harris was active in the suffrage movement in … More

Elsa Rehmann

1886-1946 Sister of Antoinette Perrett. Landscape architect. 492 Mt. Prospect Ave. Bibliography Cultural Landscape Foundation Census documents

Antoinette Rehmann Perrett

1880-1952 Garden photographer and magazine writer. Wrote for national publications. Sister of Elsa Rehmann. 492 Mt. Prospect Ave. Graduated Newark … More

Josephine Lawrence

1889-1978 Newark Sunday Call Children’s and Household Editor. Newark News Women’s Page Editor and Weekly Columnist. Wrote over 100 children’s … More

Clara Maas

1876-1901 Clara Maas was one of the first graduates of Newark German Hospital and was named head nurse at 21. … More

Maria Jeritza

1887-1982 Renowned Czech soprano Maria Jeritza lived in #newarknj Forest Hill from 1948 until her death in 1982. Her rapid … More