c. 1860-1950
Laura Hedden was a pioneer in the boys club movement in the 1930s and 1940s, establishing the first Boys Club on Halsey Street in 1908. In 1908, Star Eagle called her “one of the best known philanthropic women among the leaders of Newark’s social set.”
Laura helped establish Excelsior Boys Club and the Newark Boys Club, after the former was ended due to WWII. She was also Honorary President (as well as other roles) for the Home for Aged and Respectable Women. She was an official of the Needlework Guild, the Red Cross, the Fortnightly Literary Club, and the Women’s League.
Laura did a lot of work with the Newark Female Charitable Society. She was a member of the Crazy Jane Society and in charge of the Kitchen Garden classes at the Female Charitable Society which “taught girls domestic arts”. One set of minutes states, “Mrs. O. N. Wright presided at the piano and gave much pleasure by her music.”
Laura Hedden was born Laura Champenois on Walnut St and lived much of her life in Lincoln Park neighborhood. She attended Newark High School, graduating in 1876. She married Ornan N. Wright, then Charles R Hedden in 1929. Charles died in 1930.
Bibliography
Cummings, Charles. “Meet the exemplary women who enriched the city” Star Ledger. June 6 2002.
“Mrs. C R Hedden, 90, A Charity Worker” New York Times, Dec 30, 1950
The History of the Newark Female Charitable Society.
Hedden, Charles R. (Mrs.) – Newark – 1929-1950, Newark News Morgue, Newark Library (14 articles)
1914 City Directory
“Mrs. Ornan N Wright” Star Eagle May 16, 1908
“Mrs. Hedden Dies at 90” Newark News Dec 30, 1950.