1891-1963
Una Janifer, the mother-in-law of Josephine Janifer was extremely active in Newark civic life. In Feb 1963, she received the Brotherhood Award from the Newark Human Rights Committee.
Una was born Una Staunton in Auburn NY and graduated Syracuse University, where she met her husband Dr. Clarence Janifer, in 1911. She taught briefly including at the Tuskegee Institute before marrying her husband and coming to Newark. In Newark, she lived on Parker Street.
Una was treasurer of the NJ Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and secretary of the Urban League. She was also involved in the Northeastern group for Colored Womens Club. She was active in the YM-YWCA, the National Association of College Women, the Lit-Muse Club, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a member of the well-known Phyllis Wheatley Club and a member of the State Division Against Discrimination.
Una was also president of the Newark Council of United Church Women and a clerk at Pilgram Baptist Church, where she served as Chairman of the Foreign Mission Board and superintendent of Vacation Bible School. She was a member of the NJ Baptist State Convention and NJ Council of Churches. She was Vice President of the Christian Palestine Association in 1962.
In 1962, Una was named to a Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Group Relations for the Newark Board of Education. She was also involved with the Tuberculosis League in the 1930s.
In 1928, with the NJ Federation of Colored Womens Club she helped write a letter questioning and criticizing Board of Education member Isabelle Sims for supposedly supporting segregated schools.
Historian Charles Cummings wrote, “Mrs. Janifer referred to her civic activities as her ‘responsibilities’ and took the obligation of membership seriously.”
Bibliography
Cummings, Charles “Hallowed Names…” Knowing Newark originally Feb 18, 1999 Star Ledger
“Led Cause for Rights” Newark News Oct 29, 1963
“Creative Churchmanship….” Newark News Nov 16, 1963
“Mrs. Janifer is Eulogized” Newark News Nov 18, 1963
“Board Names 13” Newark News Jun 27, 1962
“Islam to be Panel Topic” Newark News Oct 29, 1962
“Cited” Newark News Feb 17, 1963
“Outline Plans” Newark News Feb 22, 1934
“White Woman Denies” Pittsburgh Courier Feb 25, 1928
“Federated Club” Chicago Defender Aug 20, 1955
Newark Library Digital Collections 1 2
“Syracuse Matters” New York Age Jun 22, 1911
Newark Picture Collection “Newark Portraits and Settings – J”, Charles F. Cummings NJ Information Center, Newark Library