Tentative Timeline of Black Teachers in Newark
1852-1909 The Colored School was founded in 1852 and James Baxter was principal from 1864. Women who served as his assistants included Grace Fenderson, Mae Mulford, Olive Matthews, Emily B Thomas , Marcia King Stillwell, Harriet A. King Brown, Julia A. Mason Voorhees, Adelina “Addie” McIntyre Garris, Malia Hamilton Williams, Rosa Sears
First 10 Black women to ATTEND the High School: Clara Irene Pataquam Mulford (attended 1872), Elida Lowery and Melvina Sears (grad. 1877), Eva A. Jennings (grad. 1881), Julia Mason (grad. 1884), Adelina McIntyre (grad. 1886), Ruth C. Battles (grad. 1889), Malia Hamilton Williams (grad. 1894), Olive Matthews (grad. 1896), Grace Baxter Fenderson (grad. 1901)
1909 Colored school closed. Assistants Grace Fenderson, Mae Mulford, Malia Hamilton Williams, Olive Matthews and Emily B Thomas remain in system. John Anderson’s thesis “Negro Education in the Public Schools of Newark” stats Emily Thomas went to Oliver Street School, Olive Matthews went to 18th Avenue School, and Grace Baxter to Monmouth and Malia Hamilton to Charlton.
By 1930 Matthews and Thomas have died. Malia was “unable to get a permanent teaching position” and died in 1913.
Before 1920? Helen A. Miller is listed as a teacher on the census from 1920.
c. 1923/24 Carrie Epps Powell is hired (according to 1964 article she’d been working 39 years)
1925 The Newark News reports that Ralph Turner, a “colored teacher” at Morton Street, was dismissed.
c.1928 Mildred Williams hired (Teacher on 1930 census Public Schools and Star Ledger 1958 obit says for 30 years)
1934 Pansy Borders hired as social worker
1936 Gladys Francis is hired, according to her obit
1939 In 1939, the Newark Herald states there are eight Black teachers in Newark.
1943-1945 The Newark Herald states that “scores” of Black teachers have been hired in the past two years: Dorica Saunders, Gwendolyn Harrell (later East, from Montclair, moved to San Diego), Rose Wood (lived in NYC), Blanche Hoggard (33 yrs NPS, born and died OK, died 1997), Ethel Tate (b. NY, died 1986, mother of prosecutor, 30 yrs Morton St School), Ruby Brown, Mary Colson, Alma Flagg, Mary Womble, Dorothy Turpin, Jennie Jackson. Also permanent subs (no Black teachers could be hired in High Schools yet): Katherine Bell, Dorothy Gould, Alberta Banks, Tina Bohannan, Olga Russell (born Alabama, d. 1993 Newark, no obit found) and Richardson. On permanent sub issue see: “Ask Appointment of Negro Teacher” Newark News Apr 27, 1944; “School Segregation is Jersey Probed” Newark News Feb 4, 1948, Harold Lett, 1947
1946/7 Theresa David hired, who will become the first Black teacher hired permanently at the High School level.
1948: All Black high school teachers are still “permanant subs” – “School Segregation is Jersey Probed” Newark News Feb 4, 1948
1950 63 “colored teachers” teaching at 22 schools. – “Board Denies Bias Charge” Newark News Dec 20, 1950
1956: Newark News estimates 140 “Negro teachers” but only 12-15 are “regularly assigned” at the high school level (implying these 12-15 may still be classified as subs) – “Negro in Essex” Newark News Apr 23, 1956 and Apr 25, 1956
1962 Carrie Powell becomes first official (others had served only in acting capacity) Black vice principal of an integrated school at Hawkins, after many protests
1964 E Alma Flagg becomes first Black principal of an integrated school at Hakwkins, after many protests.