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Jennie Reich Danzis
1875 – Sept 24, 1945 Wife of Max Danzis and was one of the founders of Beth Israel Hospital, with her husband. President of the Beth Israel Hospital Ladie’s Guild. Founded the Reciprocity Club which offered self-improvement classes to immigrants. Was President of the Newark Section Council of Jewish Women and leader of Americanization work.…
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Alice Condit Kirkpatrick
11 Dec 1875 – 15 Jan 1951 First woman in Newark to head a city governing board. Elected in 1917 as President of the Recreation Commission, after being appointed for the start of 1916 by Mayor Raymond. She was head of the New Jersey Vacation Committee organized in 1914: a vacation savings fund. In 1915…
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Fannie Rosencrantz
1881-? Called by the Evening Star the first female dentist in Newark. Born in Russia. Graduated the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery. In 1905, the only woman of 47 candidates to pass NJ exams. Practiced at 205 Springfield Ave and later 490 Clinton. Originally lived in New York City. Practiced from 1906-1915 in Newark, and…
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Betty Lester
1945-2021 Worked in Public Defenders Office. In 1977 appointed a Municipal Court Judge at age 31. In 1985 appointed to the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey. First African American woman Presiding Judge in Essex County. 2nd African American Female Judge to Superior Court of NJ. Later Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.…
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Laura Mayo Wilson
1871-1963 First woman to graduate the New Jersey Law School, along with Lulu Kinsgsland Garrabrant (who was never admitted to the bar). New Jersey Law School became Rutgers Law School, in Newark in 1910 and was admitted to the bar as an attorney. Born in Newark, to William Wilson and Maria Mayo. Lived at 211…
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Elitea Bulkley Allison
c. 1913 -2007 Received her graduate degree of Library Science in 1936, starting in Orangeburg South Carolina. Bachlor’s from Claflin College. Library Science Degree from Hampton Institute. One of the early African Americans to work professionally at the Newark Public library after Theresa Moore. Hired by Newark in 1938, according to Who’s Who. By 1945,…
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Eleta Caldwell
1945-2017 Principal at Arts High School 1991-2003, previously Chair of Art and teacher. Artist, co-founded the 1980s, “Black Women in Visual Perspective” Group which included Gladys Grauer. Exhibited at City Without Walls, and other galleries across the state and nation including MoMA in 1986. Had a work space in Riker Hill Art Park. With Glady,…
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Gladyce Black Sherman
1908-1995 Artist and educator. Member of the faculty of the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts for over 20 years, also graduated from the school. Her work was exhibited at the Newark Museum, Montclair Art Museum, Art Center of the Oranges, and in NYC. Charter member, of Women in the Arts, Washington DC. She…
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Mildred Lockett Lipscombe
1922-? Another of the library’s first Black librarians, hired 8 years after Theresa Moore. After graduating Virginia Union University, and then the University of Illinois (MLIS) in 1946, she became a junior librarian. In 1950, still listed as a junior librarian, the Trenton TImes reported she served on an NJLA Panel on stereotypes in children’s…
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Pauline Louisa Mars Baxter
Aug 1857 – Dec 14 1924 Wife of James Baxter Principal of the Colored School. Born to a prominent family, graduated the School of Design of the Cooper Institute and was frequently employed on designs for illustrated papers. The New York Globe says she was the “first colored lady” to “receive a diploma from that…