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E. Alma Williams Flagg
1918-2018 Alma Flagg was the first African American principal of an integrated school in Newark in 1964, in 1967 she was appointed assistant superintendent. She also wrote poetry. She was appointed principal after four teachers including Flagg accused the city of bias. The complaint was dismissed, however, she was appointed principal of Hawkins Street School…
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Louise Shugard
1870-1951 Louise Shugard was known as “the most prominent woman in Newark”. Her obituary said she was, “long a leader in welfare work in Newark.” She said, “Why it is not work for me, it is a joy to do things for those adorable babies down at the nursery…I would probably be a discontented, sour…
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Jennie Precker
1892-1981 Jennie Precker founded the nation’s first woman’s bank the Susan B. Anthony Building & Loan Association. It was the first bank in the world whose officers, directors, counsel & staff were all female! It was founded in 1923. The bank was founded at 1186 Raymond Blvd and named after Susan B. Anthony. The bank…
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Dr. Marie Louise Lefort
1874-1951 Newark native Dr Marie Lefort was the first woman appointed district physician for Newark from 1898-1902, significantly improving conditions in the city in her tenure. She said, “I believe there was no opposition to my appointment…although some members of the Board I understand, thought it was hardly work for a woman…However that may be…
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Jennie Levell Lemon
1913-1982 Jennie Lemon ran for city council in 1969. She founded the Jennie Lemon Civic Association. She served as president of Zion Towers tenants association, advocating for tenants. She was active in the NAACP, serving in many roles, including as the county’s membership and political action chairman. She advocated for minorities, senior citizens, and the…
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Dora G Roworth
1885-1962 Dora G Roworth was the first woman to get a CPA license in the NJ on Dec 11, 1909. She was an officer in the NJ Society of CPAs and worked at 790 Broad St and later owned her own business on Commerce Street. In 1930 she lived at 891 S 16th St. Born…
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Mary Beasley Burch
1906-2001 Mary Beasley Burch founded the Leaguers non-profit focused on the development of African American youth & was the first African American woman to serve on the Newark Board of Ed. & NJ State Parole Board. She was on the board of Essex County College and contributed to its founding. The theater at ECC is…
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Emily Rollins Miles
1910-1999 Emily Miles was a fashion designer. Known for her hats and for frequent fashion shows in Newark. Born Emma Rollins in Tennessee, she graduated Central High in Aug 1929 and Howard University, and various fashion schools. In 1952, she won the Paper Dress Ball sponsored by the Newark NAACP. After graduating from school in…
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Musette Brooks Gregory
1876-1921 Musette Gregory was a suffragist and activist. She was a leader in the Urban League of Newark and Vice President of the Newark Branch of the NAACP. She was on the Executive Committee of the New Jersey Suffrage Ratification Committee during the suffrage struggle. Musette was secretary of the NJ State Federation of Colored Womens…
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H. Blanche Harris
1878-1956 (Thanks to George Robb who did much research on Harris, his full biographer is linked below.). Blanche Harris was active in the suffrage movement in Newark. Her obituary said she was a “member of one Newark’s first Negro families and active many years in community affairs” and “a pioneer in the Newark NAACP branch…