[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        A WOMAN BEFORE HER TIME

                                 ______


                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 1994

  Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to 
call to the attention of my colleagues the 90th birthday celebration 
this weekend of one of my constituents, Marshanna White Crews. Born in 
Cottondale, FL, on April 17, 1904, Mrs. Crews moved to Newark, NJ, in 
1928 at age 24. She moved to Newark to join her eldest sister, Indiana, 
and four brothers who had already chosen Newark as their home. 
Marshanna and Indiana having learned to sew from their mother, became 
expert seamstresses and were able to secure work in a dress factory in 
Newark at a time when few shops were hiring colored girls. One of her 
coworkers introduced Marshanna to her brother, Asa Crews, and they were 
married in 1933 after a 4-year courtship. Their marriage produced four 
children, Asa, Jr., Shirley, Donald, and Mary and lasted for 58 years 
until his death.
  Marshanna continued to work after her marriage, but took an annual 2-
month leave to take her children to her hometown of Cottondale for the 
summer. Each year her boss told her she would be fired if she did not 
return in 2 weeks and each year he rehired her in the same capacity, 
until her retirement in 1960. Mrs. Crews was utilizing the family 
medical leave, years before its enactment.
  Mrs. Crews has been an active participant in the lives of her 
children and six grandchildren, Donna Crews, Janine Kornegay, Michael 
Kornegay, Nina Crews, Amy Crews, and Malcolm Crews. She attended school 
functions and recitals, she sewed prom gowns, graduation dresses, gowns 
for bridesmaids, and brides. Her home is and has been the center of 
family life. All holidays are family gatherings, with the traditional 
Christmas dinner bringing all of her family, children, grandchildren, 
and great-grandchild, Mariah Crews home for the holidays. Mrs. Crews is 
also an active member of the Baldwin Avenue Block Association of 
Newark.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Mrs. 
Marshanna White Crews on her 90th birthday. It is my hope that I will 
be as active a member of the over-90 generation as she is now.

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