Anita L. Clark was born in the Commonwealth of Virginia and came to New Jersey at an early age. She graduated from Barringer High School in Newark and received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange. Anita continued her studies at Rutgers University and earned credits towards an MSW degree.

Her professional career began in child development at the Newark Day Care Center located on Hill Street. She worked for the Social Services Department and served as the Director of the Fresh Air Fund for need based youth’s summer enrichment camp experience. Anita’s work with the Fresh Air Fund was featured in The Star Ledger as “Jerseyan of the Week” in May of 1976.

Anita spent the next thirty years of employment in the Essex County judicial system. Anita’s service included the Essex County in Need of Supervision (JINS), Family Crisis Unit, Court Liaison, Department of Citizens Services, Superior Court of New Jersey Essex Vicinage Family Division, Juvenile Conference Committees, the Matrimonial Settlement Cases Unit and the Supervised Awareness Programs. Anita was also a Court Service Supervisor for the Child Support Bench Warrant Unit in the County Probation Department.

After Anita’s retirement in 2006, she returned to volunteerism and part-time work as an Office Assistant for the Turrell Fund (A Foundation Serving Children) at the Van Vleck Estate in Montclair.

Anita’s affiliations include: Montclair NAACP, Juvenile Aide Officers Association. Montclair Senior Citizen Advisory Committee (SCAC), Essex County Democratic Committee, Probation Association of New Jersey (PANJ), Montclair Election Board, New Jersey Juvenile Diabetic Association, NJ Performing Arts Center volunteer, Luna Theater volunteer, Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless (MESH), Montclair Art Museum and The Montclair Public Library member.

Anita is a lifelong Montclair resident, avid traveler and an art and wellness enthusiast.