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Vera Brantley McMillon
1909-1987 Vera McMillon worked for the Public Welfare Department for 37 years retiring as a Supervisor, co-founded Tri City People’s Organization for Progress and a branch of the National Council for Negro Women. She also co-wrote a radio program on NJ Afr. Am. history and worked with the NJ Historical Society to promote African American…
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Emily Coe Jenkinson
1855-1922 Emily (Coe) Jenkinson (d. 1922) served as president of the Newark YWCA for more than 20 years. The Sunday Call listed her in 1922 as one of 50 people who had done the most for Newark. She was born in Newark to George and Mary Coe. The family moved to Fulton, IL but both…
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Gladys St. John Churchman
1902-1974 Gladys Churchman ran the Friendly Neighborhood House, as well as being part of the Churchman Funeral Home. She was also involved in many other community efforts such as the YMCA and the Newark Preschool Council. Member of the Board of Education. She graduated Washington School with honors, Central High and then the Normal School…
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Sophie L Cooper
1912-1971 Sophie L. Cooper was Newark’s first elected councilwoman, in the South Ward from 1957-1962. Photo from Newark Public Library. Bibliography Digitized letters from Newark Library C-35, Cooper, Samuel E., Mrs., Newark News Morgue, Newark Public Library Biographical file in NJ Jewish News Records at the Jewish Historical Society Ad in NJ Jewish News Photograph of swearing…
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Louise Epperson
1908-2002 Louise Epperson was key in the protests against UMDNJ in the 1960s & helped negotiate the Medical School Agreements. She was also the first African American appointed to the Board of Health & helped elect Mayor Gibson and Irvine Turner. Photo from Newark Public Library. Bibliography Rise Up Newark profile “Over My Dead Body”…
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Katherine Coffey
1900-1972 Katherine Coffey was director of the Newark Museum from 1949-1968. During her tenure she expanded education programs and programs for the visually impaired & apprentice training . The Museum established an endowment Fund in her honor. Bibliography C-24 Coffey, Katherine, Newark News Morgue, Newark Public Library Katherine Coffey Papers, Newark Museum Archives Katherine Coffey…
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Bernice Bass
1926-2000 Bernice Bass (right) had a major presence in the city’s music, radio, & political scenes. She had a Sunday evening radio program on WNJR: News & Views. She was influential in the gospel music scene & a prominent figure in Newark’s black community. Photo from Newark Public Library. Bibliography Rise Up Newark profile Digitized…
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Beatrice Winser
1869-1947 Beatrice Winser was director of the Newark library and museum from 1929-1942 (only female library director until Wilma Grey!). She was also the first female member of the Newark Board of Education (1915). Photo from Newark Public Library. Bibliography Beatrice Winser Papers, Newark Public Library Crist, Tim, “Beatrice Winser: Librarian, Museum Director and Advocate…
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Mrs. (Lena) Parker O. Griffith
c. 1880-1960 Mrs. (Lena) Parker O. Griffith (c. 1880-1960) created the Griffith Music Foundation which brought nationally recognized musicians to Newark and sponsored educational programs and a yearly student music contest. Bibliography Extensive Star Ledger coverage including, Newark’s forgotten music center – NJ.com Mrs. Griffith Builds Newark’s Musical Life – New York Times Guy Sterling…
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Hilda Hidalgo
1928-2009 Hilda Hidalgo (second from right) was a Newark activist. In Newark, she co-founded Aspira of New Jersey, La Casa de Don Pedro and the Puerto Rican Congress and worked with numerous other community organizations. Bibliography Hilda Hidalgo Papers, Puerto Rican Community Archives, Newark Public Library Digitized material from Newark Library (1, 2) Button collection…