1922 – 2015
Dorothy Gould was an early Black teacher, hired in 1943 for $144 a month at Cleveland Junior High as a “permanent sub” since Black teachers couldn’t be officially hired above primary level. One of her students was Mayor Gibson.
Dorothy came to Montgomery Street School around 1967, and by the 1970s, she was principal. She said, “I have children all over…thousands of them.” Mayor Sharpe James said, “Of all the educators I’ve known she stands out as one of the most dedicated, unselfish and giving individuals in the teaching field.”
In the 1980s, she was made assistant executive superintendent of pupil services for the Board of Education. She retired in 1986, after 43 years in the system.
Dorothy was very involved in the Friendly Fuld Neighborhood House. She was Girl Scout leader at the Fuld, she was also a Board member, and President (1962). She started working with them in the early 1940s and led the Girl Scout troop from 1945. In 1966 she was named Volunteer of the Year.
Dorothy was a founding member and trustee emerita of St. Philip’s Academy, Newark. She was also on the UCC board in the 1960s.
She was a life member of Delta Sigma Theta and served as President of the North Jersey chapter.
Dorothy was a graduate of Charlton Street School, South Side High, and Upsala College. She lived on Avon Place in 1940 and Sherman Ave in 1950.
She received the “Newark Legends” tribute from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in 2001. In 1999, she was inducted into the Newark Women’s Hall of Fame.
Her friend Bob wrote in the Calumet, in 2012:
You see Ms. Gould is the best kept secret in Newark to most people and to a select number of lucky ones she remains a mentor, advisor, dedicated educator, surrogate mother, and a respected member of her community. She lives by the statements “you must be accountable, kids come as is, and don’t ever mess with my kids.” She has never stopped giving and is the poster model for every person that says, “You must give back to your community.” This giving brings so much joy to her life, it probably is the best medicine she could ever get on a daily basis. Still sought after as a speaker and consultant in the community, her phone rings constantly with questions, concerns, and a desire to get her to relate her fascinating memories of years gone by. Although her vision has diminished greatly, her brain gets more exercise than her body now as she repeats many of her experiences as if they just happened yesterday. Even at age 90, she is wonderful example of keeping the mind functioning at a consistently high level. If awesome was as popular a word in her day as it is today, she would epitomize that word. She indeed is one of a kind and her mold will never be duplicated. She has positively affected tens of thousands of lives in the Newark community and it appears there is no end to this special gift that the good Lord has brought us.
Bibliography
Another Teacher Newark Herald News Nov 6, 1943
Dorothy Gould, Alumni Calumet, Summer 2012
Newark Library Digital Collections
“Child Center Names Slate” Newark News Jan 26, 1962
“Upsala Grad” Washingto Afro American Jul 24, 1943
“Into Circulation” Washington Afro American Jan 17, 1948
“Delta Sorority Initiates Two” Afro American Jan 1, 1949
“Neighborhood House Guests Officials” Washington Afro American Oct 29, 1955
Boyden Evelyn, “Day In and Day Out Newark” Afro American Apr 9, 1955
“Social Work Awards” Star Ledger Jun 14, 1966
“Friendly Neighbors” Star Ledger Jan 15, 1970
“Party Time” Star Ledger May 19, 1980
“Awards” Star Ledger Feb 25, 1981
Kukla, Barbara “Principal Reaches out to Help the Community” Star Ledger Aug 18, 1980
“School serving up an honor” Star Ledger Dec 1, 1986
“Newarkers Celebrate Retiring…” Star Ledger Dec 15, 1986
Burroughs, Todd “St. philips…” Star ledger May 6, 1991
Kukla, Barbara, “Women of high achievement” Star Ledger Mar 25, 1999