-
Barbara J Kukla
1940- Barbara Kukla was a reporter for the Star Ledger for 37 years. She has written many books on historical Newark including, “Swing City: Newark Nightlife 1925-1950”. Bibliography Barbara J. Kukla Papers, Newark Public Library including digitized material Kukla, Barbara J. Newark Inside My Soul, a 50 Year Memoir. Extensive Star Ledger coverage
-
Marion Bolden
1946- Marion Bolden was superintendent of the Newark Public Schools from 1999-2008. She was born in Newark and is a graduate of South Side High School. She founded the Newark Public Schools Historical Preservation Committee. Original photo. Bibliography Newark Public Schools Historical Preservation Committee Barbara J. Kukla Papers at Newark Public Library Extensive Star Ledger…
-
Mollie Dawkins
1908-1984 Mollie Dawkins was co-organizer of the Dawkins Civic Association, worked for the Housing Authority and worked with South Side First Aid Squad & Sunshine Teleservice for senior citizens. In 1976 she received a Brotherhood Award from the Human Rights Commission. Bibliography “Mollie L Dawkins, housing administrator” Star Ledger, May 7, 1984 1956 letter to the…
-
Cecil I Dorrian
1882-1926 Cecil I. Dorrian (1882-1926) was a war reporter for the Newark News (WWI). She wrote a weekly column and traveled Europe and was the first female reporter to go to the front lines. She was a playwright and wrote a play that was performed nationally. Bibliography Newark History Society Program Digitized Newark News includes…
-
Bernice Cross
c. 1918-2011 Bernice Cross worked at the Star Ledger all her life (from 1939). She coordinated several sections of the paper as part of the editorial staff. For many years she was also a popular soprano singer. One of the first Black graduates of Weequahic. June 1935 Weequahic Yearbook Bibliography Funeral Program 1935 Weequahic Yearbook
-
Nellie Grier
c. 1900-1984 Mrs. Nellie Grier, who was known as “Mother Grier” in Newark, founded and directed the senior center on Clinton Ave (now named after her) and organized the Newark Senior Citizens Council. Donald Payne called her “one of Newark’s most prominent citizens” Came to Newark in 1954. Bibliography Terrell, Stanley, “Mrs. Nellie Grier, 84,…
-
Melinda Scott
1876-1954 Melinda Scott was an English immigrant and President of a Hat Trimmers Union in Newark & worked for suffrage including being part of a delegation to President Wilson. She was also a key figure in the labor movement and later was a Newark tax commissioner. Bibliography S-13, Scott, Melinda, Ms., Newark News Morgue, Newark…
-
Grace Baxter Fenderson
1882-1962 Grace Baxter Fenderson (1882-1962) was one of the first African American teachers in the Newark Public Schools and taught for 42 years, helped found the Newark Branch of the NAACP and served on the board of the Sojourner Truth branch of the YWCA. She was president of the Lincoln-Douglass Memorial Association. From 1936, she…
-
Etta Fallon
1880-1960 Etta Fallon was the first women policewoman with Margaret Dugan and Justina Eller in 1918 and they were the only woman officers for many years. She promoted to Sergeant in 1943 with Dugan, retiring in 1948 as the only woman on the force, as the other two women had died. She was assigned for…
-
Leila Gardner
1914-1993 Leila Gardner was executive director of the Newark Traveler’s Aid Society. She was the first African-American in the nation to head a Travelers Aid unit. She later worked for Family Services. Born in Jamaica and moved to Newark as a child, according to Cummings, but evidence could only be found that she lived in…