c. 1877-1966
Mary C. Woody became the first licensed female funeral director in NJ in Newark in 1913. She opened a funeral home that bears her name in Orange, which is open to this day.
Bibliography
Cummings, Charles. “The List of Firsts: African Americans Who Pioneered the Way” Star Ledger. Feb. 12 1998
“Our History” Woody Home for Services
“Woody, Mary C.” Star Ledger Nov 2, 1966