1921-2006
Tenant advocate and NHA Commissioner, who had a “colorful and charismatic” personality and was known as “Mother Clark”.
Appointed as a NHA commsioner in 1986, where she pushed education and programs for youth. She served as Chair and Vice Chair. This made her the first tenant in the history of NJ public housing to head a governing board.
As a tenant advocate she was VP of the Scudder Homes Tenant Association and helped negotiate replacement housing when it was demolished. She was active in rent strikes at Scudder Homes in the 1960s and 1970s. When she later moved into Gigi Foushee Towers, she advocated for a parking lot for residents.
Clark was also VP of the Newark Tenants Council.
When she died, Zinneford Smith of the Housing Authority stated, “As am community activist and tenant advocate she represented the residents of public housing and was a consummate advocate of improving the quality of life for residents.”
Mayor James stated, “She served the city well in many capacities…her legacy will live on.”
Born in Chicago, came to Newark in 1940. Outside of tenant advocacy she worked as a factory supervisor and was active in church and education groups.
Scott was interviewed for the Krueger-Scott Oral History Project. She was honored as a “Woman of Vision” in 1997 by the West Ward Cultural Center.
Bibliography
Clark, Barry “Ida Clark, Newark Tenant’s Bold Voice” Star Ledger Jun 21, 2006
Various items related to the demolition of Stella Wright Homes, City Documents collection, Charles F. Cummings NJ Information Center, Newark Library
5 decades of service, NHA, City Documents collection, Charles F. Cummings NJ Information Center, Newark Library
Other items from Newark Library digital collection
Tenants Council Inc, Board Members, Greater Newark HUD Tenants Collection, Charles F. Cummings NJ Information Center, Newark Library
Women of Vision 1997, Philip S Thomas Collection, Charles F. Cummings NJ Information Center, Newark Library