At a time when the Jewish community was focused on the benefits of assimilation and the possibilities of ethical culture, Esther Jane Ruskay argued passionately for a return to traditional religious practice and study.
Sylvia Field Porter, known for her clear, straightforward writing and wise advice, broke ground as the first woman to write the financial section of a big-city newspaper.
Belle Moskowitz gained considerable power and influence as New York Governor Alfred E. Smith’s closest advisor by offering him her complete loyalty and support through his gubernatorial work and his 1928 presidential campaign.
Amy Loveman’s passion for literature made her the ideal book review editor and led to her vital role in the Book-of-the-Month Club, selecting great books to introduce to new readers.
Lichtenstein cofounded Jewish Science with her husband as an alternative to Christian Science, creating a small but passionate following and carving a place for herself as a congregational leader.
Annie Leibovitz’s rapport with her subjects and her genius for posing them in surprising ways has led to some of the most iconic pictures of the twentieth century and has shaped our vision of celebrities.
Ann Landers counseled millions of readers through her popular advice column for over forty years on issues from the growing pains of adolescence to the grief of widowhood with wit, humor, kindness, and good sense.
In the few short days since Jill Abramson’s surprise firing from her post as executive editor of the New York Times, much has been written about her ouster.
Florence Prag Kahn made history as the first Jewish woman to serve in Congress, first filling her husband’s seat and then in her own right, with Alice Roosevelt Longworth commenting that she was “the equal of any man in Congress, and the superior of most.”
Ruth Gruber didn’t just record history, she made history as the youngest-ever PhD, an honorary general, and the reporter who covered the famed voyage of the Exodus 1947.
In her novels, short stories, and plays, Edna Ferber captured the rich variety of life in America, from the Mississippi River in Show Boat to the wilds of Alaska in Ice Palace.
Selma Jeanne Cohen transformed the field of dance by giving critics and historians the language to discuss the nuances of performance and choreography.
Ruth Hagy Brod’s varied career as a journalist, documentary filmmaker and literary agent made her the ideal publicity director for Job Orientation In the Neighborhoods, helping high school dropouts train for careers.
