-
Elizabeth Swain(e) Ogden
1645-1706 In 1666, settlers from CT settled Newark. Elizaeth is said to be the first of the 1666 Newark landing party to step foot on Newark soil. Historian Urquhart believes she was first of the Branford group. Atkinson writes, “so that women’s proper rights to positions of honor and distinction in Newark are not the…
-
Renee Starks Steed
1914-1996 Renee Starks Steed was a fashion designer. She directed Renee’s School of French Designing and Modeling (591 High St) and ran New York Hat Shoppe 392 Springfield Ave. Renee founded Renee Stark Enterprises and Renee’s Rental Services. She also owned Renee’s Acreage Recreational Area in Tuckahoe, NJ. Renee founded the New Jersey Community Council…
-
Julia Baxter Bates
c. 1917-2003 Julia Bates was the first African American student at Douglass College, followed by a career of teaching and research. A coworker said, “She was truly a pioneer and an unsung heroine.” Julia Baxter Bates was the first African-American student admitted to Douglass College. Douglass admitted her without realizing her race, but accepted her…
-
Marian C Manley
1892-1977 Marian C Manley ran Newark’s Business Library, a branch of the Public Library from 1926-1954. She retired in Oct 1954. Under her leadership the Business Library was known far and wide for excellent service. Said her employees when she retired, “Life was kind to have placed us under the supervision of Marian C Manley…there…
-
Alma C Mitchill
c. 1893-1960 A Brooklyn native, Alma Mitchill came to Newark 2 years after graduation. She served as librarian at PSE&G in Newark until her retirement in 1955. She increased their circulation by many times. She had many roles in the Special Libraries Association and became the NJ President from 1935-1937 and 1947-1949 and the National…
-
Irene Rutherford O’Crowley
1885-1974 Irene Rutherford O’Crowley was an early woman lawyer, born in Newark. She attended Barringer High School and graduated from NJ Law School 1919 as Vice President of her class. In 1900, the family lived on Lombardy Street and Irene lived there at least through 1920 when she was in law school. Irene was the…
-
Dr. Vera Schectman
1890-1971 Vera Schectman the first woman doctor at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark. She was on the staff at Beth Israel through 1970 and had a practice in Newark. She was also medical examiner for the Civil Service Commission for many years and gave lectures on sex education to women and girls. Vera was a…
-
Mabel F Thomas
1887-1974 Mabel F Thomas was an early female dentist in Newark. She worked for Dr. C A Spahn and then practiced on her own. Mable began practicing on her own after graduating the Thomas Evans Institute of University of Pennsylvania as one of only five women in 1918. She was a specialist in orthodontic straightening,…
-
Janet MacRorie
1887-1950 Janet MacRorie was an journalist, adwoman, and radio censor, often based in Newark. Janet began her career as a journalist she was a reporter, feature writer, and women’s page editor for the Newark Star-Eagle, and previously New York City. She wrote the “advice to the lovelorn” column in the Star Eagle. She also worked…
-
Carole Anderson Graves
1938- Carol Graves was President of the Newark Teacher’s Union and leader of the 1970/1971 Teachers’ Strikes. She was sentenced to 6 months in jail for her refusal to end the strike. She later ran for General Assembly and served as Essex County Register. Born Carole Anderson, Carole graduated Arts High in 1955. Carole was…