Longtime Trenton resident turning 100
Bernice Mitchell turns 100 today and her presence serves as a reference for family members and friends as the newest city centenarian holds volumes of memories about history.
Born on August 31, 1918 to Westley and Estella Ellis Mitchell in Fairbanks, FL., Mitchell moved onto Southard St. across from Trenton State College then located in the current Grant Elementary School area at the age of four.
Mitchell, a member of New Life Christian Center, knew segregation as a student at New Lincoln School on North Montgomery St., open to only non-white children. She then attended Trenton Central High School and furthered her education at the School of Industrial Arts on West State St. where she procured skills as a seamstress, an ability that landed jobs at Philmac Sportswear, Trenton Sportswear and other industries.
Mitchell celebrated integration as one of 10 African American women to break the color barrier at the city’s famous Horsman Doll Factory.
According to Preservation New Jersey, “The Horsman Doll factory complex was the main manufacturing location of the very popular Horsman family of dolls. Built in the early 1930s (on Grand St. near South Broad St.) it was once considered the largest doll factory in the United States. The one-block square complex, which at its peak had more than 800 employees, consisted of two connected, three-story, brick mill buildings, plus several one-story brick additions.
And when many local men joined the armed forces during World War II, Mitchell and other women secured manufacturing jobs previously considered appropriate only for their male counterparts.
Mitchell and her female compatriots kept industry moving as they gained employment at businesses such as Panelyte, Trenton Box Lunch at the Walton General Hospital and the Post Exchange (PX) in Fort Dix.
Her employment record includes jobs at Ewing General Motors on the production line known as Eastern Aircraft where employees built the Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber No. 7,546 for the U.S. Navy.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Bernice’s career spanned multiple industries including Heinemann Electric and Shell Chemical and she completed a lifetime of employment as a personal housekeeper for Dr. & Mrs. Hollender.
Mitchell finally retired in 1990 although she contributed more than 25 years as a volunteer for numerous organizations, including Mercer Medical Center. She later volunteered at Fuld Capital Health Systems Campus.
“She has a deep special love for each of her children, and takes great pride in their many accomplishments. Plus, she enjoys challenging activities that keep her mind sharp and alert. She takes pleasure in reading, traveling, and completing jigsaw puzzles. Bernice has a great appreciating for the performance and visual arts,” Annie McClellan, a granddaughter noted.
Mitchell resides in downtown Trenton where family members plan a special party.
“We’re going to have a small gathering with family and friends and cake. And Mayor Reed Gusciora is planning to stop by,” McClellan said.