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Marie Foster Whigham
1923-2006 Helped her husband Charles Whigham to found Citi National Bank and Whigham Funeral Home. Mayor Sharpe James called her “the queen of our city”. Founded the Women’s League and active in the Boys and Girls Club and NAACP. Bibliography Whigham Funeral Home Roberts, Reginald. “Marie F. Whigham, Newark Role Model” Star Ledger Nov 23,…
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Amealia Steward
1915-2001 Owned Steward’s Restaurant and Peppermint Lounge. Self-made millionaire. Bibliography Kukla, Barbara J. Newark Women: From Suffragettes to the Statehouse. Kukla, Barbara J. “City Mourns Loss of Many Leaders, Educators and Young Victims” Dec 27, 2001 Picture from City Bank Ad October 7, 1980 Star Ledger “Amaelia Steward, Newark Restaurateur” Star Ledger Sept 29, 2001
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Grace Murphy
1882-1966 Founded Murphy Funeral Home on Roseville Avenue and operated it until her death for 26 years. Her obituary listed her as one of “the few women morticians in New Jersey” and “one of few women in business”. Active in Catholic organizations. Lifelong Newark resident. Bibliography Kukla, Barbara J. Newark Women: From Suffragettes to the…
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Mae Muldrow
1909 -1977 Owned LaVogue Beauty Salon. Nationally known and active with the Cordelia Greene Johnson Foundation (scholarships for beauticians). She graduated from the Myriam Caragu Beauty School in Paris. General chairman of the Beauty Culturist League. Photo from Al Henderson Collection, Newark Public Library Bibliography Kukla, Barbara J. Newark Women: From Suffragettes to the Statehouse.…
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Ella Wright Moncur
1919-1999 Born in Newark, lived in NYC in 1930. Wife of jazz artist, owned the Theatrical Beauty Salon in Newark, and also a salon called Monte’s Powder Puff. Later retired to Florida and taught there. She also was active in fashion, and worked with the Urban League. Her fashion shows were featured in New Jersey…
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Emma Coleman
1864-1935 Ran Coleman National Business College in Newark after the death of her husband in 1903. Bibliography NJ Women’s Project, “Past and Promise: The Lives of NJ Women” (extensive) Kukla, Barbara J., “Newark Women: From Suffragettes to the State House” C-25 Coleman Business College, Newark News Morgue, Newark Public Library Coleman Business School material. New…
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Eugenia “Jeanne/Jean” (Byrd) Dawkins
c. 1926-1978 Owned the Key Club, one of Newark’s most famous jazz clubs, with her husband. She ran the club after her husband died In 1976 she was named Newark’s Woman of the Year and received a Key to the City. In 1977, she organized the “Newark Salutes Jazz” festival. She was a member of…
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Jennie Caputo
1918-1996 Gymnast who competed in the 1936 Olympics. Married name Pascuzzi. Entered into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame 1992. She won the all-around 1st prize in Olympic tryouts. She was a city and state champion at Central High as well as a track and field athlete. Bibliography “Jennie Pascuzzi Vaults Into Newark’s Hall” Star…
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Sally Carroll
1922-2019 One of the first Black policewomen along with Rhoda Daniels and Eleanor M. Stokes . Actively involved with the Newark branch of the NAACP for 40+ years, served as President. Served on National Board of Directors of the NAACP. Photo from Newark Public Library Bibliography “Sally Carroll“, Rise Up Newark Newark Public Library digital…
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Hannah (Burnet) Kinney
1761-1862 Helped found the Newark Female Charitable Society in 1803 and served as president. “A star in the social world of her day as well as a writer and theologian”. Instituted the first Sabbath schools in the city. Bibliography Kinney Family Papers, NJ Historical Society The Burnet Family – Early Years