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Harriet Stratemeyer Adams
1892-1982 Wrote over 200 books over her literary career, including the plot outlines for many Nancy Drew books. Took over control of the Stratemeyer publishing business after her father’s death. Harriet was born in Newark to publisher Edward Stratemayer. She lived at 99 and 171 N 7th St through at least 1915. She graduated Barringer…
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Lilian McNamara Garis
1873-1954 Lilan McNamara wrote for the Newark News in charge of “Women’s Work”, their first female reporter (“the first woman to be given regular salaried employment”). She married Howard Garis and wrote hundreds of books for the Stratemayer syndicate, some under pen names. Born in Ohio to Irish immigrants Winifred and Edward, she moved to…
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Loraine White
c. 1947 In 1980, Loraine White became a football coach at Weequahic High. She was New Jersey’s first female coach and was said to be the first Black woman to become a high school football coach in the United States. She has been inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame. Loraine (often misspelled Lorraine)…
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Elizabeth “Liz” Del Tufo
1933- Elizabeth Del Tufo was head of the Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee, retiring in 2025, after helping preserve many buildings and historic sites. She is a Newark historian, who for many years was known for her tours of Newark. In 1980, she was first director of Cultural Affairs for Essex County, and a founder…
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Sally (Sara) E. Cooke Young
1905-1967 Born and raised in Newark, Sally Young was an early Black journalist. Sally was a 1924 graduate of Central High who lived at 169 Norfolk St when she graduated Central. Her father Ambrose was listed on the census as a book author. She was the Daily News secretary at Central High. In 1941, she…
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Jeannette Gilder
1849-1916 In Newark, Jeannette Gilder worked in the editorial department of the Newark Morning Register, helping her brother launch the paper. Later, she wrote for papers around the country, mainly the Chicago Tribune and published several books. The Newark News said she, “laid the foundation of her literary fame as a newspaper reporter in Newark.”…
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Diane Sutton
Diane Copeland 1941-2000 Diane Sutton co-owned Je’s Restaurant. The first restaurant in Downtown Newark founded by people of color. Mayor Sharpe James called her “the heart and soul of downtown Newark”. The corner of William and Halsey Street, the site of her restaurant, was named in her honor. Diane was born in North Carolina. After…
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Marie Foster Whigham
1923-2006 Marie Whigam helped her husband Charles Whigham to found Citi National Bank (1973) and Whigham Funeral Home. Mayor Sharpe James called her “the queen of our city”, saying “she was a role model for young and old”. Marie also founded the Women’s League, which raised money for scholarships and was active in the Boys…
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Amealia Steward
1915-2001 Amealia Steward owned Steward’s Restaurant and later redesigned Peppermint Lounge. She was a self-made millionaire. “She was our queen in the city said Mayor James, “She had wealth, beauty and fame.” Steward’s Restaurant first opened in 1949 on Prince Street and later moved to Avon Ave. Black Mirror News wrote, “When most people become…
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Grace Murphy
1882-1966 Grace Murphy (born Mary Grace Murphy) 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”. Grace was active in Catholic organizations, including former President of the…