c. 1915-2006
Marie E Gonzalez was called the “Puerto Rican Mayoress of Newark”. She was a specialist on Puerto Rican Affairs with the Newark Human Rights Commission from 1963-1981. She was Chairman of the City’s Advisory Council on Bilingual Programs and a founder of FOCUS. She is credited on “The Puerto Ricans in Newark, NJ: A Study”.
Doug Eldridge wrote in 1963, she had “become an official friend and advisor for all kinds of people in all kinds of troubles.” She said, “I just can’t turn anybody away, it’s just not my nature.”
Marie retired in 1981 after 18 years. In the same year Peter Rodino said she had 40 years of community involvement in Newark, choosing her to represent the city at the White House Conference on Aging. After retirement she volunteered 6 days a week at the Immaculate Heart of St. Mary catacombs.
Marie came to the continental US in 1929 and Newark in 1940. Before working for the City, Marie was Chief stewardess of Ruberset Co. union. She formed the first interracial Boy Scout troop in the Ironbound, and was the president of the Lafayette Street School PTA. Marie was also past president of the Peter Rodino Association of Newark and taught ESL to newly arrived immigrants.
She lived for some years at 294 Elm St.
Bibliography
“Council Picks New Chairman” Star Ledger Dec 17, 1970
Photo credit La Tribuna Collection, Newark Library.
“Puerto Ricans Beam with Pride at Parade Banquet” Star Ledger Jul 30, 1979
Cummings, Charles. Puerto Ricans in Newark, ‘All the rights of citizens but considered immigrants’
“Event to honor rights worker” Star Ledger Mar 16, 1981
“Newark official chosen for parley” Star Ledger May 10, 1981
“Catacombs Restoration a labor of love” Daily Record. Jun 24, 1984.
“Marie E Gonzalez” Aug 4, 2006.
Newark Library Digitized Material (2)
“Second Base Not Good Enough for Her” Star Ledger Jan 22, 1963
“Precinct Captain..” Newark News Feb 15, 1968
“4 Migrants Returned” Newark News Dec 31, 1970
Eldridge, Douglas “Personalities in the News” Newark News Mar 31, 1963