Women’s History Month Kicks Off: 20th Century Women Discussed

Union County Historical Society President Joanne Rajoppi will present a program on 20th Century Women on Sunday, March 9th at the Hanson House, 38 Springfield Avenue, Cranford. Ms. Rajoppi notes that while many women’s history programs celebrate extraordinary women, she is happy to honor Women’s History Month with a review of the lives of everyday women who faced enormous challenges during the last century.

Ms. Rajoppi’s talk will center on her third book in her Hamilton family trilogy, which began with New Brunswick Boys and continued with Northern Women. Her new non-fiction book, entitled 20th Century Women: The Trials and Triumphs on the Road to Equality, is formatted as a narrative based on in-depth research into the lives of five Hamilton women. The book documents their lives using interviews, court records, newspaper accounts, census records, and more, placing life events in historical, political, and social perspectives.

Save the Date

The Society will hold the annual spring luncheon on Sunday, April 13th at the Garden Restaurant in Union. Mark Lorenc, Chief Public Historian for the New Jersey Historical Commission, will be the speaker, updating members on the state’s plans for the upcoming 250th celebration.

Membership Dues

Members are reminded to send in their dues to remain a member of UCHS. Dues range from $15.00 for Regular membership to $100.00 for Sponsor. Checks should be made payable to Union County Historical Society and mailed to Treasurer Lauren Socha at 846 Floral Ave., Elizabeth, N.J..

Historic County Cards

More than 60 commemorative history trading cards are available to Union County residents through the Office of Heritage and Cultural Affairs. Initiated by the Board of County Commissioners seven years ago, the cards highlight the lives of notable people and historic places in the county. They are available at local historical sites and online.

A sampling of the cards includes:

Caesar (1702–1806): Born in Guinea, Caesar was enslaved and sold to Isaac Drake to work on his Plainfield farm. Freed in 1769, he served as a teamster during the Revolutionary War, driving supply wagons to troops at the Blue Hills Fort and Camp.

Hazel Fields (1898–1986): A teacher, hospital dietician, corset saleswoman, and housekeeper who discussed her life in a 1980 interview. She recalled her grandmother having been a slave, and her own experiences with segregation, including an unforgettable train ride to North Carolina in a Jim Crow car. As a member of the Women’s Achievement Club in Plainfield, she helped bring prominent speakers like Adam Clayton Powell to the area.

Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960): The novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist lived in Westfield during the early 1930s. Best known for her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, she was the sole Black student at Barnard College and made significant contributions to the Harlem Renaissance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) Snippet

What is the UCHS Women’s History Month program in March 2025?

UCHS will host a Women’s History Month program on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at the Hanson House in Cranford, featuring a presentation by Joanne Rajoppi on 20th Century Women.

Where is the Hanson House in Cranford?

The Hanson House is located at 38 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey.

What is Joanne Rajoppi’s book 20th Century Women about?

20th Century Women: The Trials and Triumphs on the Road to Equality is a researched narrative focused on the lives of five Hamilton women, using sources such as interviews, court records, newspapers, and census records.

When is the UCHS spring luncheon and who is speaking?

The annual spring luncheon is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, 2025 at the Garden Restaurant in Union. Mark Lorenc, Chief Public Historian for the New Jersey Historical Commission, will be the speaker.

What are Union County Historic County Cards and where can you get them?

Historic County Cards are commemorative history trading cards highlighting notable people and places in Union County. They are available through the Office of Heritage and Cultural Affairs at local historic sites and online.

Who was Caesar (1702–1806) in Union County history?

Caesar was born in Guinea, enslaved and sold to Isaac Drake in Plainfield, later freed in 1769, and served as a Revolutionary War teamster transporting supplies to troops.

Did Zora Neale Hurston live in Westfield, NJ?

Yes. The newsletter notes that Zora Neale Hurston lived in Westfield during the early 1930s and is remembered as a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance.