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Sister Mary Walter Dwyer
1929 – 2022 Sister Mary Dwyer was principal of Saint Columba School in Newark, in one of the poorest sections of Newark and with Deborah Humphreys, she was a driving force in the Saint Columba Neighborhood Club / El Club Del Barrio. Deborah Humphreys wrote, “It was never enough for Sr. Mary to just be…
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Ruth Caldwell Lynn
1902-1964 Ruth Lynn was the only woman member of Newark’s Charter Study Commissioner in 1953, after being heavily involved in the Newark Citizen’s Committee on Municipal Government as vice chairman and acting chairman, advocating for a change in Newark’s government. She said, “I personally believe that Newark does not have the best form of municipal…
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Enid Bell Palanchian
1904-1994 Enid Bell was a Scottish-born artist and sculptor. She was sometimes called “Handy Andy” due to her various experiments in art. After marrying Missak Palanchian in New York in 1932, she moved to Newark to 21 Myrtle Ave. In 1933, she won the Sculpture Medal from the Newark Art Club. In 1934, she completed…
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Rosalind Lubetsky Bressler
1936-2001 Rosalind Bressler was the first woman to be corporation counsel (the chief attorney) for the City of Newark, when she was sworn in, Oct 1984. Previously she’d been assistant corporation counsel from 1975. As assistant corporation counsel she focused on labor and employment issues, and contracts, and also worked with many different departments in…
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Estelle Morris
1881-1979 Estelle Morris was a civic activist and women’s club leader, active in the NJ Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, Sojourner Truth branch of the YWCA, Newark Community Chest and many other organizations. Mother of Mildred Morris Williams and Irene Morris. Estelle was Regional President of Northwest Region in the NJ State Federation of Colored…
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Anna W. Hilton Monroe
1878-1973 Anna Monroe was active in Black social and civic organizations in Newark for many years. She was a founding member of the Urban League, president of the Newark Branch of the NAACP, and financial chairman for the Sojourner Truth Branch of the YWCA and the NJ State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. Price’s Freedom…
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Gloria Hopkins Buck
1939- Gloria Hopkins Buck is widely involved in culture and philanthropy throughout Newark. She has served as a Trustee at the Newark Museum and is a founding charter member and Chairperson for the Newark Black Film Festival. She was on the the Literacy In the Arts Task Force, appointed by Gov Kean. She has been…
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Queen Elizabeth Bryant James
1924-1998 Known as “Queenie”, Queen James helped get Democrats elected, including Ken Gibson, Earl Harris, and Tom Giblin. Queenie worked for the Gibson administration for 16 years, and served as a Democratic County Committe leader, in the South Ward for 25 years. She was also: Vice Chairwoman of the South Ward Democratic Organization, Vice Chairwoman…
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Bessie Walker Williams
1906-1994 Bessie Walker Williams was a community activist who advocated for voter rights, and was active for senior causes, and urban gardening. Bessie graduated from Rutgers with her Bachelor’s degree in 1985 at age 79. Bessie ran voter registration drives in her neighborhood. She ran voter registration drives in her neighborhood and was also a…
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Georgia Henson Hearn
1892 -1998 Georgia Hearn lived to age 105, making her one of the oldest Newark residents at her death. Friends said she didn’t smoke or drink, didn’t eat much meat, and kept busy, and had a strong religious faith. She said, “I never had any trouble finding work and life’s been pretty good.” Georgia known…