Primary Source Set: Women in Newark
This guide links to a small number of items from our collections to get you started on research. To see many more items view the digital collection. You can also e-mail us or view our website for more information on non-digitized collections.Content note: some of the primary sources quoted include offensive racist language.
Women played an important role in our city from early days (Documents A and B). Women formed clubs like the Phillis Wheatley Literary Society, the NJ State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and the Leaguers (Documents C, D, F, and O). Programs were put on form women and women protested for their rights (Documents G, J, and K). The first Black doctor at City Hospital was Dr. E Mae McCarroll (Document H). Newark’s first elected councilwoman was Sophie Cooper in 1958, followed by Marie Villani in 1974 (Document E and I). The first Black principal of an integrated school was Alma Flagg, appointed in 1964 (Document P). The first Black councilwoman was Mildred Crump in 1994 (Document N).
 A. In Memoriam Mrs. J F Stearns, 1869 |
 B. Emily Theresa Jenkins nee Brown in Newark, c. 1900s |
 C. Phillis Wheatley Literary Society / Club, materials 1939-1980 |
 D. Our Heritage, NJ State Federation of Colored Womens Clubs, c. 1957 View Online | Download |
 E. Letter, Sophie Cooper (first woman elected to Council), 1958 View Online | Download |
 F. Martin Luther King with Mary Burch, Newark, 1964 View Online | Download |
 G. Self Defense for Women at Community School, c.1970-1975 |
 H. Mae McCarroll, 1973 |
 I. Gibson and Marie Villani, 1973 |
 J. Why Women Need the Equal Rights Amendment, 1975 |
 K. Salute to New Jersey Women, 1981 |
 L. Today’s Hispanic Women, 1984 |
 M. Dr. Hilda Hidalgo Interviewed by Griselda Cueto, 1987 (transcript) |
 N. Mildred Crump, Oral History, 1997 (transcript) |
 O. A Memorial Salute in Celebration of Life; Legend and Legacy of Mary Beasley Burch, 2001 |
 P. Alma Flagg Funeral Program, 2018 |
