Helen A Miller

Oct 4, 2024

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in 1890-1909 (Born), African Americans, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries

1898-1982

We don’t know too much about Helen A. Miller. She was the sister of Mildred Miller Free and her father James Miller was the “first of his race” to work for the City Water Department. She graduated South Side School in 1917 and was planning to attend the Normal School.

By 1920, she is listed as a teacher, which would make her one of the earliest black teachers in Newark (see: Early Black Teachers in Newark). She lived at 35 Cottage St with her family.

In the 1938 city directory, she lists her teaching address as Oliver Street School. In 1939, the NJ Herald News called her an “energetic school marm”. Her home address is listed as 102 Emmet St. In 1943, the Newark News listed a transfer from Newton Street School to Miller Street School.

A legal notice in the Newark Evening News, lists her at that same 102 Emmett Street address in 1971.

The birth date matches the Helen Atwell Miller who died in 1982 (notice below), so this is likely the same person.