1916-2003
Thelma Gillis was the first woman and first non-law school grad assistant chief of the municipal court clerks of the City of Newark. Featured in the Afro American in 1972 she said, “the courts are just overloaded these days!” and “I have taken 25 civil services exams in the last 10 years and intend to take more.”
Thelma was named as assistant chief in 1971. She had been named a deputy municipal court clerk in 1965 in the Family Court. She started in Traffic Court in 1955.
She was the sister of Dr. E. Alma Flagg. She lived in Newark from 1926 until her death. Thelma graduated Barringer evening classes and Essex County Junior College. She was a member of the Urban League, YMCA and NJ Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, as well as the secretary and historian of the NJ Municipal Court Clerks Association.
Thelma retired from the courts in 1983.
Bibliography
“1st woman top clerk court aide saw courts turn to super busy” Afro American Feb 19, 1972; “Women Court Clerk Present During Change” Afro American Feb 26, 1972
“Thelma Gillis”, Star Ledger, Oct 30, 2003
Hayes, Samuel “Named Deputy Clerk in Municipal Court” New York Amsterdam News Oct 23, 1965
“Better Court Facilities Needed” Press of Atlantic City Dec 8, 1976