Category: 1930-1959 (Born)

Ramona Santiago

Apr 27, 2022

in 1930-1959 (Born), Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Hispanic/Latino Americans, Law and Law Enforcement

c. 1952- Ramona Santiago was appointed deputy mayor in 1994. Her grandfather came from Spain to Newark in 1914. She operated the Santiago Funeral Home of Lafayette Street. At her appointment as deputy mayor she stated, “I’m raising my two children here and I want to see a better life for them and all children”.…
Connie Francis

Apr 27, 2022

in 1930-1959 (Born), Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Entertainers, Theater and Music

1937/8 (sources differ) – 2025 Connie Francis was a pop singer and chart topping vocalist. Connie was born Concetta Franconero in the Ironbound section of Newark. The family briefly lived in Brooklyn before moving to NJ. In 1950, the family lived at 17 Ridgewood Ave, Newark, off Clinton Ave. Connie attended Bergen Street School and…
Betty Lester

Mar 29, 2022

in 1930-1959 (Born), African Americans, Law and Law Enforcement

1945-2021 Betty Lester was the first African American woman Presiding Judge in Essex County and the 2nd African American female judge appointed to Superior Court of New Jersey. Betty Lester was born as Betty Joan Johnson in Pennsylvania. She attended Howard University and Rutgers Law School. After graduation she worked in Public Defenders Office. In…
Eleta Caldwell

Mar 24, 2022

in 1930-1959 (Born), African Americans, Artists, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries

1945-2017 Eleta Caldwell was principal at Arts High School 1991-2003, previously Chair of Art and teacher at the school. Eleta was an artist who co-founded in the 1980s the “Black Women in Visual Perspective” Group which included Gladys Grauer. She exhibited at City Without Walls, and other galleries across the state and nation including MoMA…
Wilma Jackson Grey

Mar 17, 2022

in 1930-1959 (Born), African Americans, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries

1945- Wilma Grey was the first African American woman to be the director of Newark Public Library, from 2005-2015. She was an employee of the Newark Public Library for 46 years. Wilma grew up in Newark, near the library’s Roseville branch where she enjoyed reading Nancy Drew. She graduated Arts High School in 1962, as…
Barbara George

Mar 15, 2022

in 1930-1959 (Born), African Americans, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Law and Law Enforcement

c. 1953-2000 Barbara George was the first woman and first African American woman police captain. Sharpe James called her a “trailblazer, role model and…hero”. Barbara was the sister of Gigi Foushee, who also served with the police, one of 7 children. After graduating Weequahic in 1970 and Bloomfield College, she taught science. Barbara joined the…
Trish Morris-Yamba

Mar 14, 2022

in 1930-1959 (Born), African Americans, Education, Museums and Libraries, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

1944*-2019 Trish Morris-Yamba was recognized as a visionary in the field of early childhood education, founding the CHEN school and working as director of the Newark Day Center for 32 years. Trish Morris-Yamba was born in New York and attended Rutgers Livingston College. By 1973, she was founding director of the CHEN school for preschool…
Sandra “Sandy” King

Mar 14, 2022

in 1930-1959 (Born), Authors, Journalists and Writers, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before)

1948- Sandy King was the host of Emmy Award Winning Due Process which has won two dozen regional Emmys. She is an award-winning producer and anchor of news, documentaries, and public affairs programs. Sandy King was born in Newark and graduated with the Weeqauhic Class of 1965 and from Rutgers Newark. She began writing articles…