2 West Orange sisters mark every day of Black History Month with T-shirts

With just a few more days of Black History Month left, two sisters in West Orange have been marking it every day with T-shirts, and the impact of their message is ringing through the school halls.

News 12 Staff

Feb 28, 2020, 11:51 AM

Updated 1,528 days ago

Share:

With just a few more days of Black History Month left, two sisters in West Orange have been marking it every day with T-shirts, and the impact of their message is ringing through the school halls.
"It makes me proud of myself and it makes my class proud," says Marlee John, St. Cloud Elementary School fifth grader.
For every day of Black History Month, 10-year-old Marlee John and 5-year-old Avery John have been wearing a different shirt of an inspirational African American woman to the school.
The shirts were created by their mother.

"My mom gave me a few weeks to think of some names I would like to put on my shirts," says Marlee.

Marlee would also come in with index cards and share with kids at her table about the woman on her shirt. 
Thursday it was Ida B Wells. There was also Katherine Johnson. Her fifth-grade teacher decided to make it a daily presentation for the whole class. 

"Then it evolved where I would start looking up who's the person of the day?” says Karen Thompson, St. Cloud Elementary fifth-grade teacher. “Who do you have coming up this week Marlee, so I can start adding to my lessons?"

Fellow kindergarteners in Avery's class also had their interest piqued and her teacher also tied it in with a daily lesson.

"It was really just such a teachable moment,” says Tiffany China, St. Cloud Elementary kindergarten teacher. “I think it's really important to remember, these kids can continue to teach us in their schooling."

Other women that have been featured on their shirts include Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Misty Copeland and Oprah.


More from News 12
2:06
Paterson homeowner says an abandoned home nearby is causing health, safety issues for his family

Paterson homeowner says an abandoned home nearby is causing health, safety issues for his family

1:53
Cloudy with passing showers for Monday in New Jersey

Cloudy with passing showers for Monday in New Jersey

0:28
Prosecutors: Discarded smoking material blamed for Lakewood fire that sent 3 to hospital

Prosecutors: Discarded smoking material blamed for Lakewood fire that sent 3 to hospital

1:13
Rainy Sunday impacts businesses on Cinco De Mayo

Rainy Sunday impacts businesses on Cinco De Mayo

0:55
Iconic Paterson hot dog stand Libby's Lunch sold at auction

Iconic Paterson hot dog stand Libby's Lunch sold at auction

1:50
Curfew enforcement for kids under 17 now in effect in Newark

Curfew enforcement for kids under 17 now in effect in Newark

1:11
Injury at Morristown NJ Transit station leads to train service delays

Injury at Morristown NJ Transit station leads to train service delays

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

3:01
 All I-95 lanes in Norwalk reopen one day after overpass demolition

All I-95 lanes in Norwalk reopen one day after overpass demolition

1:46
Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

0:42
NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

0:42
Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

0:27
Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

0:30
Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

0:27
Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports