-
Gladyce Black Sherman
1908-1995 Gladyce Black Sherman was an artist and educator. She was a 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,…
-
Mildred Lockett Lipscombe
1922-2025? Mildred Lipscombe was one the library’s first Black librarians (possibly the third), hired 8 years after Theresa Moore, and after Elitea Allison. After graduating Virginia Union University, and then the University of Illinois (MLIS), she became a junior librarian in 1946. In 1949, she took place in a library course on “Great Books” and…
-
Pauline Louisa Mars Baxter
Aug 1857 – Dec 14 1924 Pauline Mars was the wife of James Baxter Principal of the Colored School. Born to a prominent family in New York, Pauline graduated the School of Design of the Cooper Institute. The New York Globe wrote Pauline was the “first colored lady” to “receive a diploma from that institution”.…
-
Theresa Knight Moore
*See below note on surnames 15 Mar 1907 – Feb 16, 1983 Theresa Knight Moore was the first African American employed at Newark Public Library in a professional position. Theresa became a “library assistant” at Springfield Branch in 1937, which was likely a librarian position. The appointment was made with the help of the Urban…
-
Elizabeth Albright Spurr
1870-1934 Elizabeth Albright Spurr was a Newark native and lifelong resident. She lived on Mt. Prospect Avenue and in childhood on Park St. In 1919 became Vice President of the family-owned brush manufacturer Rubberset Company (Rubber & Celluloid Products Co.), and became President in 1929 when her brother resigned. She was President for the remainder…
-
Theresa Swartz Grotta
1836-1922 Theresa Grotta was a Bohemian Jewish immigrant who worked tirelessly on behalf of needy families in Newark. She was president of Hebrew Ladies Immediate Relief Society and other relief societies. Theresa was a member of the National Council for Jewish Women, first president of the Newark Council for Jewish Women. In 1893 she represented…
-
Louise Connolly
1862-1927 Louise Connolly was longtime educational advisor to the Newark Library and Museum. She wrote many publications and trained museum apprentices. The Newark News wrote, “She made many important contributions to the problems of education…She was considered to be an inspiring teacher, a remarkable organizer of though, a writer and speaker of extraordinary facility and…
-
Wilma Jackson Grey
1945- Wilma Grey was the first African American woman to be the director of Newark Public Library, from 2005-2015. She was an employee of the Newark Public Library for 46 years. Wilma grew up in Newark, near the library’s Roseville branch where she enjoyed reading Nancy Drew. She graduated Arts High School in 1962, as…
-
Dr. Mildred Gregory
1894-1975 Dr. Mildred Gregory practiced pediatrics in Newark and was Medical Director of Babies’ Hospital from 1949-1957. She was one of the first woman diplomates on the American Board of Pediatrics. Mildred was raised in Newark, living at 21 Roseville Ave. Mildred graduated Barringer in Jan 1912, Wellesley College and taught at Skidmore College until…
-
Barbara George
c. 1953-2000 Barbara George was the first woman and first African American woman police captain. Sharpe James called her a “trailblazer, role model and…hero”. Barbara was the sister of Gigi Foushee, who also served with the police, one of 7 children. After graduating Weequahic in 1970 and Bloomfield College, she taught science. Barbara joined the…