1908-2002
Louise Epperson was key in the protests against UMDNJ in the 1960s & helped negotiate the Medical School Agreements. The Star Ledger stated she was credited with saving the neighborhood from demolition.
Louise was also the first African American appointed to the Board of Health & helped elect Mayor Gibson and Irvine Turner.
Mayor James said, “She was our Rosa Parks, our Harriet Tubman, our Sojourner Truth. When she spoke everyone listened.” Mary Mathis-Ford called her “the lady of Newark.”
In her later years Louise championed the rights of senior citizens, representing Newark on the National Council of Senior Citizens and continued to work at University Hospital as Director of Patient Relations saying, “I’d rather wear out than rust out.” She was also heavily involved in the United Presbyterian Church.
Louise lived in Georgia and Florida before coming to Newark with her sister. In 1957 she lived on 12th Ave.
Bibliography
“Over My Dead Body” Newest Americans
E-15 Epperson, Louise, Newark News Morgue, Newark Public Library
Star Ledger coverage
Digitized material from library (second link) including oral history from Krueger Scott
City directories
“Louise Epperson, champion of civil rights 93” Star Ledger Mar 9, 2002
Kukla, Barbara, “Newarkers mourn two beloved leaders” Star Ledger Mar 21, 2002
Kukla, Barbara, “Notable citizens will be missed” Star Ledger Dec 26, 2002
Photo from Newark Public Library.