ELAINE CUNNINGHAM WHITE-GARDNER

Funeral services have been held for Elaine Cunningham White-Gardner, sister of the late Glenn D. Cunningham, the City’s first African American Mayor, and sister-in-law of State Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham. She passed away Oct. 19. Born in Jersey City on August 20, 1940 to Gladys and Lowell Cunningham, Sr., Elaine was the seventh of nine children. She began her professional career as a licensed practical nurse, but it was social justice that led her to pursue a career in teaching. Armed with the first degree in Black Studies from Jersey City University, she taught African American History at Snyder and Academic High Schools, later becoming Assistant Principal of 39 School. Elaine served as Supervisor of Social Studies and District Supervisor. In addition, she was tapped to be the Affirmative Action Officer for the Jersey City Board of Education, and in this capacity, expanded and fiercely safeguarded career opportunities for minorities in all areas of the school system. Upon retirement from the School Board in 1996, Elaine’s commitment continued as a School Board consultant where she ‘educated the educators,’ providing intense diversity and sensitivity system-wide training for teachers. Her methodologies are still employed in classrooms today. Elaine received many distinguished recognitions throughout the years, including being named one of Jersey Journal’s Women of Achievement. She particularly loved campaigning with and for her brother Glenn, and after his death, continued to support projects and events in his memory. According to her sons, “Our mom was a full-fledged citizen of Jersey City, because she supported all of its local charities. Like the rest of our family, she loved Jersey City.” She is survived by sons Peter, Troy, and Derrick White; her beloved daughters-in-law, thirteen grandchildren, three siblings, Richard Ernest, Gerard and Dyanne Cunningham; cousin Joyce Lord; two sisters-in-law, Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Marcia Cunningham; and a host of nieces, nephews, siblings-in-law, devoted friends Jean Lewis, Ethel Currie and all the Sisters Are We. Services arranged by the Charles A. West Funeral Home, Bayonne.