-
Earlene Jackson Provit
1945-2007 Junius Williams in his book “An Unfinished Agenda” states that Earlene Provit was a “community legend…I heard a story about Earlene fighting five cops and winning!” Earlene worked part time at a bar called the Pink Palace. Junius says, “I remember the first time I went to the Pink Palace. Earlene was wearing a…
-
Ruth C. Battles Dickerson
1867-1939 Ruth Battles was an early Black graduate of Newark High School, in 1891. In 1894 and 1895 she is listed as running a Select School in Newark at 187 Commerce. Ruth married Rev. Charles Dickerson in 1895 but in 1901 sued him for desertion. He had to pay her $4 a week (later revised…
-
Laura Thompkins
c. 1850 – 1942 In 1941, the Newark Sunday Call featured Laura Thompkins, a former slave, born in Georgia. Laura lived at 104 West St., Newark, and the article claimed she was 96 years old, having lived in Newark for more than 50 years. Laura spent her time knitting Bundles for Britain to help soldiers…
-
Minnie E Stith
1893-1970 Minnie E Stith was a founder and pastor of Zion Holy Church in Newark for 35 years, making her likely the first woman to build a church from the group up in Newark. The church had various locations including South Orange Avenue and Mulberry Street. Minnie became pastor in 1934. She purchased 2 buildings…
-
Catherine Mouserrone Lynch
1876-1939 Catherine Lynch was the founding Secretary of the Phyllis Wheatley Society and secretary of the Board of Management of Colored Home for Aged and Orphans, for 32 years. She was also involved in the 250th anniversary of Newark celebration. In 1941, a plaque was unveiled in her honor at the Colored Home. Catherine grew…
-
Maud E Johnson
1864-1947 Maud E Johnson was the librarian of the New Jersey Historical Society for over 25 years, when it was on West Park Street in Newark. Maud was a graduate of Pratt Library School 1899. She organized the library of poet William Cullen Bryant, before being hired by the NJ Historical Society in 1902. Maud…
-
Edwina Johnson Hale
1933-2019 Alt names: Bailey, Manigault, Mason Edwina Johnson lived with her parents and siblings at 56 Ridgewood Ave in Newark and attended South Side High (now Shabazz). Her father was a taxi driver. In Jun of 1949, when she was 16, Edwina and her brother Marshall, along with their father, stopped in Montgomery, AL, on the…
-
Mae Massie Eberhardt (Mary Graves)
1915-2007 Mae Eberhardt was a union leader and activist for nearly 35 years. During most of her union work from the 1950s to 1970s she is listed as being a Newark resident. Born in Virginia as Mary Graves, Mary moved to Orange after her marriage. Working at the Orange Domestic Laundry, she joined AFL 284,…
-
Georgianna Franklin Brennan
1936- Georgianna Brennan was an early Star Ledger writer. Born in Newark, she was the daughter of Parks and Property Director Pearce Franklin. In June 1953, when she would have been about 17, a photo of Georgianna judging Miss Newark Marine Corps listed her as “Miss Georgianna Franklin of the Star Ledger”. In August, Georgianna…
-
Myrtle L. Bruton Hartsfield
1934-2001 Myrtle Hartsfield was the first woman to be named to Newark’s Alcohol and Beverage Control Board in 1981. She said, “I am very proud to be the first woman on the Board. We do have a lot of lady tavern owners here and I welcome the challenge.” She served until at least 1984. At…