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Edythe Raabe
1907-1977 Edythe Raabe was the first woman graduate of Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT) in 1930. She was the first woman in the United States to receive a degree in chemical engineering. The Sunday Call reported she was the only female student at the College in 1928. During college she was employed by Bamberger…
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Jacqueline “Jackie” Rendleman Jones
c. 1951-2021 Jackie Jones was the first woman firefighter at the Newark Fire Department in 1981, along with Ethel Goldsberry who was later removed. In 1982, she was the only woman firefighter of over 600! She said being the city’s only woman firefighter was “rough in the beginning. I was not used to the men…
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Rose Danzis Parsonnet
c. 1900-2003 Rose Danzis was the daughter of Max Danzis, a founder of Beth Israel Hospital and Jennie Danzis, Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. She was married to Eugene Parsonnet, a cardiologist, and her son was Victor Parsonnet, renowned heart surgeon. Rose was involved with music throughout her life, “The house was filled with a Steinway grand,…
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Laura Champenois Wright Hedden
c. 1860-1950 Laura Hedden was a pioneer in the boys club movement in the 1930s and 1940s, establishing the first Boys Club on Halsey Street in 1908. In 1908, Star Eagle called her “one of the best known philanthropic women among the leaders of Newark’s social set.” Laura helped establish Excelsior Boys Club and the…
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Marie Antoinette Quinby
1848-1909 Marie Quinby was very active in Newark civic life, the Newark News called her a “leader in Newark society”. She was founder and President of the Women’s Branch of the NJ Historical Society. Marie also managed or was on the board of various organizations including the Colonial Dames and the Daughters of the American…
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Violet Johnson
1870-1939 Violet Johnson was a civic leader and suffragist in Summit. She was active in the New Jersey Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and the New Jersey Women Suffrage Association. Violet Johnson’s life has been expertly chronicled in Betty Livingston Adam’s book Black Women’s Christian Activism and her biographical sketch linked below. Bibliography Adams, Betty…
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Kate Louise Roberts
1861-1941 Kate Roberts was editor of Hoyt’s New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations. She got the job through JK Hoyt editor of the Newark Daily Advertiser who was a family friend. Kate’s first publication was in 1922. Kate also worked in the Newark Public Library reference section under Frank Hill and John Cotton Dana for 15…
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Ramona Santiago
c. 1952- Ramona Santiago was appointed deputy mayor in 1994. Her grandfather came from Spain to Newark in 1914. She operated the Santiago Funeral Home of Lafayette Street. At her appointment as deputy mayor she stated, “I’m raising my two children here and I want to see a better life for them and all children”.…
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Connie Francis
1937/8 (sources differ) – 2025 Connie Francis was a pop singer and chart topping vocalist. Connie was born Concetta Franconero in the Ironbound section of Newark. The family briefly lived in Brooklyn before moving to NJ. In 1950, the family lived at 17 Ridgewood Ave, Newark, off Clinton Ave. Connie attended Bergen Street School and…
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Esther Edwards Burr
1732-1758 Esther Edwards Burr was the mother of 3rd Vice President Aaron Burr Jr. Stephanie Ernst writes, “Burr’s writings reflect her intelligence and strength, as demonstrated by her spirited defense of women’s engagement in intellectual discourse.” Esther married Aaron Burr Sr., pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Newark and founder of Princeton University (then the…