Category: 1910-1929 (Born)
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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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Hilda Hidalgo
1928-2009 Hilda Hidalgo was a Newark activist. In Newark, she co-founded Aspira of New Jersey, La Casa de Don Pedro and the Puerto Rican Congress and worked with numerous other community organizations. Hilda came to Newark in 1960 and worked as district director for the Girl Scouts, then director of Child Services, until 1970. She…
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M. Bernadine Johnson Marshall
1923-1997 Marie B. Johnson, of Newark, was one of the first African American women in NJ to be admitted to the NJ bar in 1949 with Martha Belle Williams. When they graduated they made the front page of the Newark News and Bernadine said she had “dreamed of this since I was a little girl…Oh…
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E. Alma Williams Flagg
1918-2018 Alma Flagg was the first African American principal of an integrated school in Newark in 1964, in 1967 she was appointed assistant superintendent. She also wrote poetry. She was appointed principal after four teachers including Flagg accused the city of bias. The complaint was dismissed, however, she was appointed principal of Hawkins Street School…
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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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Emily Rollins Miles
1910-1999 Emily Miles was a fashion designer. Known for her hats and for frequent fashion shows in Newark. Born Emma Rollins in Tennessee, she graduated Central High in Aug 1929 and Howard University, and various fashion schools. In 1952, she won the Paper Dress Ball sponsored by the Newark NAACP. After graduating from school in…
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Louise Scott
1927-1983 Louise Scott was the founder of the Scott School of Beauty Culture. Born in the South, she came to New York from the South as a domestic & then to Newark where she opened her first beauty shop in 1944. This expanded into five shops and then a school. Louise was known as Newark’s…
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Louise Bullock
1910-1974 Louise Bullock graduated from the University of Newark’s College of Arts & Sciences in 1937. She may be the first Black female graduate of a school affiliated with Rutgers. Louise served as a director of “Negro work” in United Service Organizations (USO) club activities for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YMCA). She was play…