Newark Women

Alphabetical List of Posts

  • Louise Scott

    1927-1983 Founder of the Scott School of Beauty Culture. Born in the South, she came to New York from the South as a domestic & then to Newark where she opened her first beauty shop in 1944. This expanded into five shops and then a school. Known as Newark’s first Black woman millionaire. Scott was…

  • Louise Shugard

    1870-1951 Louise Shugard was known as “the most prominent woman in Newark”. She worked with the Red Cross, Colored Free Neighborhood House, East Side Day Nursey, the Visiting Nurse’s Association and many more charities! Bibliography S-24 “Shugard, Louise D.”, Newark News Morgue, Newark Public Library N-37 “East Side Day Nursery”, Newark News Morgue, Newark Public…

  • Lucy Karr Millburn

    1895-1998 Lucy Karr Millburn was a suffragist who marched on Washington, DC in 1913. She was a New Jersey delegate of the National Woman’s Party to the Mass Meeting for Equal Rights in Industry at the US Department of Labor’s Industrial Conference and a Member of the New Jersey division of the National Woman’s Party.…

  • Lydia Gelston Spring Osborne

    1876-1958 The Star Ledger wrote “A tiny woman bubbling with good cheer Mrs. Osborne had become a familiar figure in almost every important civic enterprise since the 20s”. She said, “I love Newark, I remember Newark when you would greet everybody in town when you went out marketing. It’s very changed today”. Born in Brooklyn,…

  • Lydia Young Hayes

    1871-1943 First director of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind which had offices in Newark at 14 James St (now Audible). Became director in 1910. Was blind herself from a childhood farm accident, and advocated for not segregating the blind. She retired from the director’s role in 1937. At the time of her retirement…

  • M. Bernadine Johnson Marshall

    1923-1997 Marie B. Johnson, of Newark, was one of the first African American women in NJ to be admitted to the NJ bar in 1949 with Martha Belle Williams. She graduated Rutgers Newark (New Jersey Law School) and West Side High School. She practiced with her father, then on her own. She was appointed to…

  • Mabel F Thomas

    1887-1974 Early female dentist in Newark. Worked for Dr. C A Spahn and then practiced on her own. She began practicing on her own after graduating the Thomas Evans Institute of UPenn as one of only five women in 1918. She’s listed in the city directories under Newark dentists from at least 1920 to 1942.…

  • Mabel Irene Gilman

    c. 1897?-1943 Miss Mabel Irene Gilman who lived on Clinton Ave., was the first female detective appointed by Essex County in 1929. She attended Barringer High School, and lived in Newark from 1906. Bibliography “Mabel Irene Gilman” Daily News 29 Jun 1943 “Jersey County Names First Woman Detective” Courier News Jan 17 1929 “Beware Malefactors”…

  • Mae Muldrow

    1909 -1977 Owned LaVogue Beauty Salon. Nationally known and active with the Cordelia Greene Johnson Foundation (scholarships for beauticians). She graduated from the Myriam Caragu Beauty School in Paris. General chairman of the Beauty Culturist League. Photo from Al Henderson Collection, Newark Public Library Bibliography Kukla, Barbara J. Newark Women: From Suffragettes to the Statehouse.…

  • Maggie Clay Beckett

    c. 1892-1972 Founded the James H. Beckett funeral home with her husband. President of the New Jersey State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs 1943-1947, as well as Vice President. She was the first advisor to the Junior Federation. She also was instrumental in presenting a pageant with the group at the 1939 Worlds Fair. In…

  • Majorie M Sweet

    1892-1963 In Newark from at least 1915. The Sunday Call claimed she was the first licensed woman automobile driver in NJ. She became a car saleswoman at a young age in Perth Amboy. She graduated business school and became a secretary but soon became an automobile statistician with the Standard Oil Company. Then she became…

  • Mamie White Bridgeforth

    1944- Mamie Bridgeforth was a City Council member from 1998-2006. She is a community leader, professor, Chairperson of the Division of Social Sciences at Essex County College, and an ordained minister. She is currently Pastor of the Faith Christian Center Ministries in Newark, New Jersey. Bridgeforth has worked for Essex County as a faculty member for…

  • Marcia King Stillwell

    c. 1846- Feb 13, 1929 Daughter of Mary Thompson King. Sister of Harriet and Ellen King. Marcia King was First Assistant to James Baxter from at least 1865 (first year its listed in the Board of Education reports) until 1880, likely through 1882 so at least fifteen years. In Jan 1883 she married John Stillwell.…

  • Margaret Brydon Laird

    1871-1968 A leader in the women’s suffrage movement and NJ’s first Assemblywoman, elected with Jennie C. Van Ness. Born in Newark and lived there most of her life. She attended Newark schools and graduated the Newark City Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1895 and lived in Newark until the late 1940s. She lived at…

  • Margaret Coult

    1860-1930 Head of the English department for the Newark high school system and a teacher at Barringer for many years. Trustee of the library and museum and author of several books on education. She was with the school system for 51 years, 42 at Barringer. Also was a Republican Committeewoman and President of the NJ…

  • Margaret Douglas Haines

    1884-1966 Lifelong resident of Newark. Member of the General Assembly 1949-1953. Taught at Garfield and Avon Ave Schools. Canteen worker and ambulance driver in WWI. Signal corps driver and USO Organizer in Newark in WWII. Graduate of Barringer c. 1903. As an Assembly member, crusaded against sale of switchblade knives, famously pulling out a switchblade…

  • Margaret Kidney

    1814-1917 Lived to 103. Earned her own way after the death of her husband, when she was 35, by making clothes, which she embroidered. On the 1860 census her occupation is listed as “fancy store”. Her daughter died when she was 60, after this she fostered many girls, which she attributed to keeping her young.…

  • Margaret P. McMahon Dugan

    c. 1885-1947 In 1918, Margaret Dugan, Justina Eller and Etta Fallon were appointed as Newark’s first policewomen and only policewomen for a long period afterwards. Born in Harrison, Margaret was a store detective before being appointed to the police. She was appointed director of the juvenile bureau and promoted to sergeant in 1943, with Etta…

  • Margaretta T Craven

    c. 1853-1935 Founded Miss Craven’s School in Newark, opened in Spring 1875. Craven retired in 1915 and the school was taken over by Mrs. William Lamont. Mrs. Lamont acquired Prospect Hill School in 1918 and merged the schools to form Prospect Hill Country Day School which was active through 1970. One of the oldest members…

  • Marguerite L. Gates

    1885-1965 Born in MA, attended Mt. Holyoke College and then came to work at Newark Library in 1907 for John Cotton Dana. She became head of lending and then assistant librarian, the secondary position in the library to Beatrice Winser, from 1930-1942, the first assistant after the death of John Cotton Dana, and the same…

  • Maria DeCastro Blake

    1911-2011 Maria DeCastro Blake (1911-2011) was a dean of admissions at Rutgers and recruited hundreds of Hispanic students. She was key to ASPIRA, the Puerto Rican Congress, the Black & Puerto Rican Coalition and more. Photo credit RUCore (Rutgers), Bibliography Black Organization of Students Records at Rutgers “Portrait of Maria DeCastro Blake”, RUCore B-31 Blake,…

  • Maria Jeritza

    1887-1982 Renowned Czech soprano Maria Jeritza lived in #newarknj Forest Hill from 1948 until her death in 1982. Her rapid rise to fame, beauty and personality earned her the nickname “The Moravian Thunderbolt”. Bibliography “Maria Jeritza: Primadonna of the Century”. San Francisco Opera. https://www.sfopera.com/blog/2020/jun/maria-jeritza-prima-donna-of-the-century-and-san-francisco-operas-first-salome/ . Women’s Project of New Jersey Records. “Maria Jeritza: Star of…

  • Maria Vizcarrondo-De Soto

    1951- First woman and Latina President of United Way of Essex and Hudson. She was the first Hispanic elected Essex County surrogate. She was Executive Director of ASPIRA Inc of NJ headquartered on Halsey Street. Moved to Newark in highschool and attended Arts High for the last year of highschool and Newark State College. Bibliography…

  • Marian C Manley

    1892-1977 Ran Newark’s Business Library, a branch of the Public Library from 1926-1954. She retired in Oct 1954. Under her leadership the Business Library was known far and wide for excellent service. Said her employees when she retired, “Life was kind to have placed us under the supervision of Marian C Manley…there is no explanation…

  • Mariana Higbie Barker

    1880- April 24, 1967 Born in Newark, graduate of Smith College 1901. President of the Board of Babies Hospital. She was a founder of the Babies Hospital Guild. Involved for 65 years. Received a Citizenship Award from the Academy of Medicine in 1957. Also a board member of United Hospitals and the Home for Respectable…

  • Marie Anderson Bagby

    1925-2003 Marie Bagby (1925-2003) was a teacher starting in 1944, and eventually principal at Barringer, West Side and University High Schools. She also served on the board of St. Michael’s Medical Center. Photo from 1972 Barringer Yearbook Lifelong Newark resident and Central High graduate. Bibliography Newark Public School Yearbooks – npl.org/yearbooks Star Ledger coverage including…

  • Marie Antoinette Quinby

    1848-1909 Born at Park Place, Newark, died in Newark. Attended school at St. Mary’s in Burlington, NJ. Lee wrote, “Beautiful in person with a fine mind and charming manners she was a leader in society for many years. . Intense patriotism was her ruling passion, and with all the power of her intellect, and personal…

  • Marie E Gonzalez

    c. 1915-2006 Came to the US in 1929 and Newark in 1940. Called the “Puerto Rican Mayoress of Newark”. Chief stewardess of Ruberset Co. union. Formed the first interracial Boy Scout troop at St. James. Specialist on Puerto Rican Affairs with the Newark Human Rights Commission from 1963-1981. Chairman of the City’s Advisory Council on…

  • Marie Foster Whigham

    1923-2006 Helped her husband Charles Whigham to found Citi National Bank and Whigham Funeral Home. Mayor Sharpe James called her “the queen of our city”. Founded the Women’s League and active in the Boys and Girls Club and NAACP. Bibliography Whigham Funeral Home Roberts, Reginald. “Marie F. Whigham, Newark Role Model” Star Ledger Nov 23,…

  • Marie Siconolfi Villani

    1921-2021 Marie Villani was the first women in Newark elected to citywide office. She served as Councilwoman from 1973-1993. Lived in Newark briefly as a child but graduated high school and went to school in Irvington. Bibliography Photo from Newark Public Library Wilstein, David. (2021, Jul 17). Marie Villani, Newark city councilwoman for 20 years,…

  • Marie Wolfs

    1885-1986 Marie Wolfs was a Vice Principal of South Side High School for more than 30 years until her retirement in 1951. However, she had a very exciting life outside the school. In 1914, she and her sister Helen, who also worked at South Side, were caught in the bombing of Liege, Belgium. According to…

  • Marion Bolden

    1946- Marion Bolden was superintendent of the Newark Public Schools from 1999-2008. She was born in Newark and is a graduate of South Side High School. She founded the Newark Public Schools Historical Preservation Committee. Original photo. Bibliography Newark Public Schools Historical Preservation Committee Barbara J. Kukla Papers at Newark Public Library Extensive Star Ledger…

  • Marion Roberson Kidd

    1928-2012 Born in Newark. 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 Chairperson of Essex County Welfare Rights and Manager of Newark Consumer Buyers Club, as well as director of the United Welfare…

  • Marion Thompson Wright

    1902-1962 Graduate of Barringer High. First African American woman in the US to earn a PHD in History. Rutgers annual lecture series named in her honor. Wrote, “The Education of Negroes in New Jersey” and other works. One of only two black students in her class at Barringer. Her mother worked as a domestic servant in…

  • Marleny Franco

    1955- Founder of the Greater Newark Conservancy. Born in Colombia. In Newark from the 1980s-2000s, executive director of the Conservancy for many years. Previously director of the Rutgers Urban Gardening Program. Photo credit Queer Newark. Bibliography Queer Newark “On the Map” New York Times Aug 29, 1999 “Wards fruitful and multiplying” Star Ledger Jul 28,…

  • Martha Belle Williams

    1924-1969 With M. Bernadine Johnson Marshall, first African American woman admitted to the New Jersey Bar. From Montclair but attended Essex Junior College and New Jersey Law School in Newark. Served her clerkship at the offices of Sidney G. Grover in Newark. In January 1967 was appointed an associate attorney at Essex Legal Services, and in…

  • Mary and Louise Curcio

    c. 1901-1973? , c. 1904-1987 Featured photo is Mary Curcio, Daily News, 1931. Two blind sisters born to Eva Bender and Paul Curcio in Newark. They lived on Morris Avenue. Mary entered school for the first time at Washington St. Public School when the first class for the Blind began in 1910. According to the…

  • Mary Beasley Burch

    1906-2001 Mary Beasley Burch founded the Leaguers non-profit focused on the development of African American youth & was the first African American woman to serve on the Newark Board of Ed. & NJ State Parole Board. She was on the board of Essex County College and contributed to its founding. The theater at ECC is…

  • Mary Boland

    c. 1950- Director of the AIDs program at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey in Newark. She co-founded the program with Dr. James Oleske and was honored internationally for her work with children with AIDs. This program became the FXB Center at UMDNJ which she directed until 2005, when she became dean of the school…

  • Mary C. Woody

    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”…

  • Mary Dennis Poland

    c. 1873-1947* Born in Ohio, Mrs. Poland was the wife of state superintendent Addison Poland. However, she was accomplished in her own right. She was the first woman to be award a doctorate in philosophy, which came from NYU. In Newark she was dean of girls in Newark High School (Barringer) for 26 years until…

  • Mary Depue Ogden

    1867-1960 Member of a prominent New Jersey family. Wrote the Memorial Cyclopedia of New Jersey and collaborated with her husband on his columns on Newark society. Lived in Newark most of her life, born in Newark. Member of the New Jersey Historical Society and President of the Women’s Branch. Mother of Miriam Ball. Bibliography Cummings,…

  • Mary E. Cary Burrell

    1866-1949 Born in Virginia. Strong member of NJ State Federation of Women’s Clubs from 1915, running the Legislative Department, while living in East Orange, working for causes including suffrage and prison reform (chairman of prison reform). By 1920 lived in Newark on Howard Street and the Newark News called her a “Republican leader for the…

  • Mary H. Avery Hine

    1822-1907 18-year president of the YWCA, later honorary president. On death, she was the oldest member of Christ Church in Newark. Officer of the Union Women’s Missionary Society, Newark Branch. President of the NJ Branch of the American Indian Association. Teacher at Woodside Sunday School. Buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Mother of Charles Gilbert Hine…

  • Mary Mapes Dodge

    1831-1905 Children’s author best known for Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates. Born in Newark and lived there for many years. Bibliography New Jersey Women’s History Cummings, Charles, “From Cundict to Dodge Women with the Write Stuff” Star Ledger Mar 9, 1998 D-23 Dodge, Mary Mapes, Newark News Morgue, Newark Public Library Wright, Catherine Morris.…

  • Mary McKeon

    1913-1997 Mary McKeon was the first woman president of the NJ Associations of Life Underwriters and the Newark-NJ Association of Life Underwriters. She was the first woman to be a division manager in Prudential Life insurance sales working in Newark and then Montclair. Bibliography Star Ledger obit Dec 7, 1997 “Arlington Brunette Sets Insurance Records…

  • Mary Philbrook

    1872-1958 First female attorney admitted to the bar in New Jersey. Practiced in Newark for many years. Bibliography “New Jersey Women’s History”. New Jersey Women’s Histor. 2020.  Hendrickson, Lisa. “Biographical Sketch of Mary Philbrook”. Alexander Street. History, J. C. “Library Guides: Mary Philbrook (1872-1958): Mary Philbrook (1872-1958)”. njcu.libguides.com. Retrieved 2020-11-12. “Manuscript Group 572, Mary Philbrook (1872-1958), Women’s rights leader Papers, 1843-1954…

  • Mary Stilwell Edison

    1855-1884 Born in Newark to Nicholas Stilwell and Margaret Crane. Nicholas was a lawyer and in 1860, the family lived in the 5th Ward, today’s Ironbound. The city directories put Nicholas at 89 Jefferson St. (also listed as 75 and 92) through Mary’s marriage. Mary worked at the News Reporting Telegraph Company punching telegraph tape where…

  • Mary Thompson King

    c. 1806 – 19 Mar 1894 Married Jacob King Oct 22, 1829. With her husband, ran an Underground Railroad stop out of 70 Warren St. Jacob was treasurer of the Colored Anti Slavery Society of Newark. Mother of Marcia King Stillwell, Ellen C. King, & Harriet A. King Brown. Bibliography Census Records “The Underground Railroad…

  • Mary Womble Spruel

    1906-1988 An early Black teacher, hired in 1945 (see Timeline, bottom of page here). Born and raised in Montclair and taught for a total of 48 years, mostly in Newark. Had a masters and doctorate of education from Rutgers. Received the Essex County Distinguished Service Award for Education in 1977. Delegate to the National Education Association,…

  • Maud “Peggy O’ Wing” Wingk Batsch

    Sept 1896 – early 1930s? Maud P Wingk lived with her mother Lena, her father a laundry dealer (William) and three sisters Janette/Lulu, Alma and Nora (names differ on census records). She was born in Brooklyn (some articles say China) but quickly moved to Newark and graduated from St. Bridget’s School, along with her sisters.…

  • Maude E Emery

    1888-1973 Born in Boston, came to Newark before 1905. Graduated Barnard in 1910. Taught Latin and History at South Side High School for 41 years. Bibliography “Miss Emery 85 Newark Teacher” Star Ledger Jun 12, 1973 South Side Yearbooks npl.org/yearbooks “Newark Girl Graduated from Barnard College” Newark Star Jun 2, 1910

  • May C. Korb Cronham McBath

    1892-1978 Soprano who performed throughout the United States and Canada at least through the 1930s. She said, “I am a Newark girl through and through. I was born here and my father was born here too and my mother’s only regret is that she wasn’t born here too.” She graduated Chestnut Street Grammar School and…

  • Melinda Scott

    1876-1954 Melinda Scott was an English immigrant and President of a Hat Trimmers Union in Newark & worked for suffrage including being part of a delegation to President Wilson. She was also a key figure in the labor movement and later was a Newark tax commissioner. Bibliography S-13, Scott, Melinda, Ms., Newark News Morgue, Newark…

  • Mildred Crump

    1938- Mildred Crump was Newark’s first African American councilwoman and first female council President. She was also the first African American Braille teacher in NJ. Bibliography Extensive Star Ledger coverage Digitized material at Newark Library “Mildred C. Crump – Rutgers African American Alumni Alliance”. Retrieved 2022-02-18. Barbara J. Kukla Papers, Newark Library Newark Elections Collection, Newark…

  • Mildred Lockett Lipscombe

    1922-? Another of the library’s first Black librarians, hired 8 years after Theresa Moore. After graduating Virginia Union University, and then the University of Illinois (MLIS) in 1946, she became a junior librarian. In 1950, still listed as a junior librarian, the Trenton TImes reported she served on an NJLA Panel on stereotypes in children’s…

  • Mildred Miller Free

    1893-1939 Prominent in church and women’s circles. Active in St. Philips Church and the NJ State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs of which she was Recording Secretary and Financial Secretary. Active in the Phyllis Wheatly Society, where she was secretary, and the Lit-Muse Club. She was secretary, and later treasurer, of the Newark Branch of…

  • Mildred Morris Williams

    1905-1958 One of the early Black teachers in Newark. In 1938 the Herald News called her “one of Newark’s popular school teachers”, “charming” and a “member of one of New Jersey’s outstanding families”. She taught at Abington Ave School, in 1st grade, for her whole career. Born in Newark and sister of Irene E Morris.…

  • Mildred Preen

    1919-1979 Mildred Preen, graduate of West Side High in Newark was the first woman to graduate in Electrical Engineering at Newark College of Engineering, was an Assemblywoman, private pilot, and served with the WAVES in WWII. Bibliography Notable Women Throughout Hunterdon County “Deaths” New York Times Jan 28, 1979

  • Mildred Roberts Helms

    1907–2002 Community activist, encouraged the building of affordable housing in Clinton Hill. In 1972, she helped found the Clinton Hill Area Development Corp which built 151 units of housing in Clinton Hill Community Gardens. Mayor Sharpe James said, “She was a creative, wonderful, hardworking woman….With a ready smile, winning sense of humor, steel determination and…

  • Mina Ginger Van Winkle

    1875-1933 Famous suffragist who organized the Equality League of Self-Supporting Women in Newark in 1908. In 1912, the League was re-named the Women’s Political Union of New Jersey (WPUNJ), with Mina as president, and remained based in Newark, headquartered on Halsey Street. Born in New York City, but by age 5, lived at 130 Barclay…

  • Minnie Schneider Karr

    1855-1938 Her obituary states she was “a veteran feminist…a pioneer suffrage worker and led suffrage picket lines. She was a founder of the National Women’s Party which had as its object the abolishment of all discrimination in the law against women and was active in the Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom and the…

  • Miriam Ogden Ball

    1890-1968 From an old Newark family, born in Newark daughter of Mary Depue Ogden. Attended Wellesley College and worked briefly for Newark Library before returning in 1934. In 1951, was assigned to the NJ Room, headed by Miriam Studley. where she helped design the subject headings that are still used today and wrote a pamphlet,…

  • Miriam Studley

    1899-1984 Miriam Van Arsdale Studley was the first director of the New Jersey room at the Newark Public Library from 1951-1966. She also ran the NJ collections from 1943, when Julia Sabine went to graduate school. That’s a total of 23 years in charge of the library’s New Jersey materials. Miriam Studley was born Jul…

  • Miss Rhapsody Viola Wells

    1902-1984 Photo from Barbara J Kukla Papers Born in Newark, Viola Wells, known as Miss Rhapsody was an internationally acclaimed jazz, blues and religious singer. In Newark, she sang for local jazz clubs in the 1920s and started out with the Salica Johnson Glee Club. She also performed in New York and nationally, playing with…

  • Modina Boyd Davis Watson

    1926-1994 Hairdresser, makeup artists, assistant, secretary, stylist and “gal Friday” for Sarah Vaughan who traveled the world with Vaughan from 1950-1960. Modina met Vaughan at Arts High where they became close friends. Later, she was attending Howard but left to work with Vaughan. Vaughan said, “with my secretary, Modina Davis, around, I don’t have to…

  • Mollie Dawkins

    1908-1984 Mollie Dawkins was co-organizer of the Dawkins Civic Association, worked for the Housing Authority and worked with South Side First Aid Squad & Sunshine Teleservice for senior citizens. In 1976 she received a Brotherhood Award from the Human Rights Commission. Bibliography “Mollie L Dawkins, housing administrator” Star Ledger, May 7, 1984 1956 letter to the…

  • Mrs. (Lena) Parker O. Griffith

    c. 1880-1960 Mrs. (Lena) Parker O. Griffith (c. 1880-1960) created the Griffith Music Foundation which brought nationally recognized musicians to Newark and sponsored educational programs and a yearly student music contest. Bibliography Extensive Star Ledger coverage including, Newark’s forgotten music center – NJ.com Mrs. Griffith Builds Newark’s Musical Life – New York Times Guy Sterling…

  • Mrs. Mary Gordon Barnett Hill (Mother Hill)

    1803-1884 The first President of the Newark Women’s Christian Temperance Union from 1874 to 1882, and afterwards an Honorary President. “As an organizer she showed great discrimination and tact in securing the right woman in every place, encouraging the timid and holding a mild restraint upon those needing it.” She spoke throughout the state in…

  • Musette Brooks Gregory

    1876-1921 Musette Gregory was a suffragist and activist. She was a leader in the Urban League of Newark and Vice President of the Newark Branch of the NAACP. She was on the  Executive Committee of the New Jersey Suffrage Ratification Committee during the suffrage struggle. Musette was secretary of the NJ State Federation of Colored Womens…

  • Myrna Milan-Rivera

    1954- First Hispanic Newark municipal judge in 1988. Active with the Puerto Rican Congress and Aspira. In 1992, she was nominated for business administrator in Elizabeth and resigned in 1994. She was a member of the NJ State Committee on Women in Courts. Bibliography Byrd, Frederick, “First Hispanic Woman Takes Oath As Judge” Star Ledger…

  • Myrtle C. Williams

    1900- 15 Jun 1965 (?) Grew up in Newark on Chestnut St. First “colored girl” to finish a 4 year commercial course in 1919 when she graduated East Side High. Played a piano solo at the graduation. Entered Columbia University. Orchestra conductor and businesswoman. She performed at various events. In 1921 appointed stenographer for the…

  • Nadaline Wolfson Dworkin

    Aug 5, 1928 -May 17, 2017 Born in NYC, Nadaline Wolfson married Donald Dworkin in 1947 and they lived in Newark’s Weequahic section by the late 1950s. By 1958 she was on the Board of the Newark Business and Professional Chapter of American Jewish Congress, where she was chairman of the Y Nursery School Committee.…

  • Nancy Zak

    1948- Community organizer for environmental justice and housing with Ironbound Community Corporation. Key figure in the HUD Tenants Coalition. Rutgers Gus Heningburg Fellow. Organized to save Riverbank Park in the Ironbound when it was threatened with demolition, and founded the park group SPARK Friends of Riverbank Park. Power 15 Award (Newarks’ Most Influential Grassroots Leaders).…

  • Naomi Sylvia Charner Campbell

    1925-2017 Naomi Charner was a graduate of South Side High who lived at 712 Bergen St and 140 Somerset St in Newark. In 1947, she attended Upsala College and was a senior and Vice President of the Phi Omega Chi Sorority. She had also founded an interracial organization known as the Four Freedoms Action Committee.…

  • Nellie Gray (Grashof)

    c. 1843-1928 Singer, mezzo-soprano. Active in the choirs at Trinity Cathedral (quartet during Civil War) and B’Nai Jeshurun as well as the Newark Harmonic Society and Opera Society and the Rubenstein Club of New York. Brought many musicians to Newark for concerts. Active in music for 75 years. “Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes”…

  • Nellie Grier

    c. 1900-1984 Mrs. Nellie Grier, who was known as “Mother Grier” in Newark, founded and directed the senior center on Clinton Ave (now named after her) and organized the Newark Senior Citizens Council. Donald Payne called her “one of Newark’s most prominent citizens” Came to Newark in 1954. Bibliography Terrell, Stanley, “Mrs. Nellie Grier, 84,…

  • Newark Policewomen Class of 1949

    Photo from Star Ledger shows women in training, May 1949. Though police matrons existed and 12 policewomen were listed as acting as of 1947 including Claire Gonzales, Josephone B Renz, and Mary Knapp, these weren’t considered permanent “real” policewomen. Thus, when policewoman were hired in 1949 they were considered by the newspaper, and presumably by…

  • Olive A Mathews Summers

    1876-1911 Born and raised in Newark. Lived at 192 Charlton St. New York Age called a “much beloved public school teacher”. She graduated the Normal School in 1898. Assistant in the Colored School from at least 1905. In 1909, when the School closed she was transferred to 18th Avenue School. In 1910, she was Head…

  • Olivia Queene Brown

    1882-1954 Beauty culturist since 1912, ran the Poro Beauty School on 9 Wallace Street which she opened in 1936 or 1937. On her death, the Afro American wrote how she had organized the Poro Club, training women, and allowing hundreds of women to enjoy “a comfortable living as Poro beauticians, agents and shopowners”. The Afro…

  • Pansy L Borders

    1906-1978 Pansy L. Borders (1906-1978) was the first director of Child Guidance for the Newark Board of Ed and served 43 yrs. She worked in nearly every school and was appointed to the “President’s Committee on Govt Contracts” in 1958. She was a 1928 Graduate of Howard University. Bibliography B-36 Borders, Pansy, Newark News Morgue,…

  • Patricia Curvin

    1936- Wife of historian Robert Curvin. Nominated to Essex County Ethics Board in 1980. Trustee and VP of the Boys and Girls Club. Assistant dean at Rutgers College of Nursing. Chairwoman of the humanities department at Arts High. Later a training and sales consultant for Prentice Hall. Honored at the Newark Library gala in 2007.…

  • Patricia Fenix Kettenring

    1941-2023 Born in CA, created and directed the Business and the Arts Program at the Rutgers Newark Business. Pat taught courses in marketing, non-profit accounting, entrepreneurship, and arts fundraising. Pat wanted to address inequality in Newark through arts so she founded GlassRoots in Newark in 2001. GlassRoots provides glassmaking workshops and business skill development for…

  • Pauline Louisa Mars Baxter

    Aug 1857 – Dec 14 1924 Wife of James Baxter Principal of the Colored School. Born to a prominent family, graduated the School of Design of the Cooper Institute and was frequently employed on designs for illustrated papers. The New York Globe says she was the “first colored lady” to “receive a diploma from that…

  • Pauline Sims Puryear

    1900-1971 Miss Pauline Puryear was a social worker in Newark for many years. She’s famous nationally for being the 4th international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha and Dean of Women at Florida State A&M College. The 1930 census lists her as working for the NJ Urban League which was based in Newark. In 1939, there…

  • Pearl Beatty

    1936-2019 Active in the Urban League, NACCP, organizing for JFK and the March on Washington. Attended Morton St. School and Arts High. Exec secretary / office manager for COPE. In 1970, appointed Executive Secretary of the Insurance Fund Commission by Gibson. Elected Freeholder for District 2 in 1978, the first woman elected in the district.…

  • Peggy Officer Lista

    1913-2013 Inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994 for being a basketball and track standout at Central High in the late 1920s. As of 1930, she was the only girl at Central ever to have lettered in two sports. She was also Class Secretary. Bibliography Margaret O. Liska Oct 11, 2013 Nashua…

  • Pryno B Hillman

    c. 1916-1964 Pryno B. Hillman (c. 1916-1963) founded the Mary Bethune Social Club, was an organizing and creative director of arts at Central Avenue Community Center, was first president of the Newark branch of the National Council for Negro Women & more! Bibliography Barringer June 1935 Yearbook Cummings, Charles, “Meet the Exemplary Women Who Enriched…

  • Ramona Santiago

    c. 1952- Photo from Newark Library. Ramona Santiago was appointed deputy mayor in 1994. Her grandfather came from Spain to Newark in 1914. She operated the Santiago Funeral Home of Lafayette Street saying at appointment, “I’m raising my two children here and I want to see a better life for them and all children”. She…

  • Rebecca Andrade Doggett

    1941- Founder of Tri City People’s Corp. First Director of the Essex County Office of Citizen’s Services, the founding Executive Director of the Head Start Program and the Newark Preschool Council, and the first black female executive at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Photo from Al Henderson Collection, Newark Library. Bibliography…

  • Rebecca Newby

    1919 or 1920-2005 Born in Alabama, raised in Newark, Newby attended Robert Treat and West Side High, where she was a member of the Glee Club and voted most likely to succeed vocally. Newby designed and made dresses and was known as a fashion model. She studied fashion at Pratt and New York Manhattan Trade…

  • Renee Starks Steed

    1914-1996 Born Renee Gregory. Fashion designer. Directed Renee’s School of French Designing and Modeling (591 High St) and ran New York Hat Shoppe 392 Springfield Ave. Founded Renee Stark Enterprises and Renee’s Rental Services. Also owned Renee’s Acreage Recreational Area in Tuckahoe, NJ. Founded the New Jersey Community Council on Drug Addiction and High Society…

  • Rosa L Sears Scudder

    c. 1852 – 28 Jan 1930 Rosa Sears was the mother of Clara Scudder, piano prodigy. She taught in the Colored School with James Baxter from at least 1870 until her marriage to David Scudder in 1873 and is still listed under her maiden name as a teacher in the 1874 city directory. Rosa and…

  • Rosamond Stewart Marrow

    1903-1972 President of the Board of the Community Hospital (African American hospital, previously Kenney) in Newark. Also on the faculty of Essex County Vocational School in Beauty Culture. She was involved in politics in the 1930s through 1950s including being Republican Vice Chairman in the Central Ward and working on the campaign of Senate candidate…

  • Rose A Leonardis

    1916-2012 Lifelong Ironbound resident. Proprietor of the Rose A. Leonardis Funeral Home after the death of her father in 1953. She graduated from embalming school in 1950. She ran the funeral home until she retired in 1999. Active in many organizations including the Saint James Hospital Ladie’s Auxiliary, NJ Funeral Directors Association, St. Jame’s Parish…

  • Rose Baldasare Maker

    1913-1997 1939 Women’s Singles NJ Tennis Champion and the Newark Open Champion 4 years in succession. Lived at 258 Van Buren St. Graduate of East Side High. After marriage member of Newark’s Municipal Career Women, served in city role’s from 1941 including supervising accounts of Newark City Hospital. She was administrate analyst in the Office…

  • Rose Danzis Parsonnett

    c. 1900-2003 Duaghter of Max Danzis, a founder of Beth Israel Hospital and Jennie Danzis. Attended South Side High School and Wellesley College. Supporter of music and the arts. Taught piano, active in the NJ League of Women Voters, and President of the NJ Chapter of the National Council for Jewish Women. Served as a…

  • Rose Kussy

    1887-1955 President of the West Side Trust Company after the death of her husband. Graduate of Barringer (Newark) High and Newark Normal School where she graduated in 1905 (Kean). Taught in Newark Schools 1904-1909. Director of the Jewish News. Served on the Central Planning Board. Named Outstanding Jewish Citizen of 1942. President of the Theresa…

  • Rose S. Ray Moryck

    c. 1858 -1942 Mother of Brenda Moryck. One of the first colored teachers and principals in NJ, according to her obituary in the New York Age (She hasn’t been found in the Board of Education Reports for Newark, so where Rose taught is a mystery with research in progress). She married John Moryck, a saloon…

  • Rose Slavitt

    1895-1969 Born in Newark, but grew up in New York for some years (1910). Back in Newark by 1915. First woman to manage a department at Prudential Insurance Co. in 1952. She was manager of Debit Policy Division 2 and worked for Prudential for man years. She liked theater, books, music, art and travel and…