Marion Roberson Kidd

Oct 21, 2022

in 1910-1929 (Born), African Americans, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Community Activists, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

1928-2012

Marion Kidd was a community activist working for welfare rights, who also worked many years with the North Jersey Community Union.

In 1966, she led a group of welfare mothers to complain about welfare issues to the Essex County Welfare Board. In 1967, she was chairwoman of the UCC Welfare Committee, for Area Board #3, which was known as the People’s Action Group. She was secretary of a nonprofit called the Human Renewal Group, trying to secure housing for the community, and the Committee of Concern, working on group relations in Newark.

Star Ledger, April 17, 1997

By 1968 she was part of the United Welfare Groups of Essex County, which she helped found. She was called Chairperson or Director of this group, which was sometimes called United Welfare of Newark, or Essex County (or Newark) Welfare Rights. By 1969, she was state chairman (later sometimes called President) of the state Welfare Rights Organization and led mothers who “stormed the State House in Trenton”.

With these groups, she staged protests including a sleep-in and also commented on other community issues like education, elections, and teacher pay. She continued to be associated with welfare rights organizing through the 1980s.

Marion also worked 15 years with the North Jersey Community Union later named Newark Community Health Center, as a Social Outreach Manager and clerk in the Social Security program. She was the Manager of Newark Consumer Buyers Club.

Other organizations that Mother Kidd served on were Urban League of Essex County and the Mayor’s Manpower Planning Council. She was a member and Vice President (vice Chairman) of Newark – Essex Legal Services.

Marion was born in Newark and lived on Howard Street.

Her funeral program said “Through the years she was affiliated with many organizations that were designed to uplift, protect and advance the residents of Newark. To help them solve their immediate problems in housing and consumer action. She was one of the original Community Organizers. She quietly spoke boldly to equip and educate people to get involved with the events that would shape and effect their everyday lives“