New Jersey City Council President, known as a pioneer for black women in politics, has died at 86

Mildred Crump, a longtime Newark city councilwoman and pioneer for black women in city politics, has died at age 86.

Crump was the first black woman elected to the Newark City Council in 1994 and was the first black woman to be elected city council president in 2006.

“Throughout her life, Mildred has broken barriers and been accustomed to being first – both professionally as the first Black Braille teacher in New Jersey and in her political career as the first Black woman elected to the Newark City Council and the first woman to do so to serve as its president,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement Sunday.

“As an exemplary public servant, Mildred skillfully advocated for the most vulnerable in her community and worked to serve New Jersey’s women, children, seniors, families and residents with disabilities. Her influence was felt around the world, which is why she was called “Mother Africa.” We will remember her for her tireless work to improve the lives of her constituents and we will miss her deeply.”

Former Democratic Rep. Jamel Holley called Crump a “true champion for Newark.”

“Mildred dedicated her life to public service and was always committed to the betterment of Newark and greater Essex County,” Holley said wrote on Xformerly known as Twitter. “Her passion for elevating the voices of those who often go unheard will leave an indelible mark on both the city and the state.”

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Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo remembered Crump as “a strong leader, she was like the matriarch of the city and a strong advocate and advocate for its residents.”

Crump was voted out of her position as council president in 2010, but her colleagues unanimously gave her the seat back in 2013. At the age of 82, she resigned from her council position in 2021. At the time, she was dealing with medical issues stemming from a fall the previous year.

Her seat was filled by her son, C. Lawrence Crump, who remains on the council.

Crump was the first black Braille teacher in Detroit, her hometown, before moving to the Garden State. She was also a founding member of the New Jersey Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., the National Political Congress for Black Women of Newark, and the Global Women’s Leadership Collaborative of New Jersey, dedicated to women’s issues in Africa.