Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

cali

(114,904 posts)
Mon Aug 8, 2016, 06:54 AM Aug 2016

My mother was an early feminist and would undoubtedly be excited by HRC's campaign.

She died a little over 2 years ago. She was 94.

She was in charge, in her twenties of declassification of Nazi propaganda at the OWI- among other duties. She was a lifelong democrat, involved in state politics in CT, where she lived for the last 53 years of her life. She was particularly involved with getting Ellla Grasso elected as governor.


From her obit:


At the age of 6, she moved with her family to Europe, living in France and Italy, learning several languages, and acquiring a lifelong love and mastery of French cooking. At 16, she returned to the states to attend college.

As an avid reader with an uncommonly keen memory, she cultivated her strong interest in history, literature and politics her entire life. With the onset of World War II, her language skills led to a job at the French desk of the United States Office of War Information (OWI) in New York City, where she carried out simultaneous translation of radio programming for broadcast into France and worked closely with French expatriate writers on information and propaganda campaigns, also holding responsibility for the declassification of Nazi propaganda. After the war, she continued on at Voice of America, which had been established by OWI in 1942.


She became active in the League of Women Voters and the local and state organizations of the Democratic Party, serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1976. Subsequently, she became involved with the New York (blanked that out)serving on the board of directors for many years. She traveled extensively, with particular fondness for London and Paris, where she was a member of the Société Saint-Simon.











7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
My mother was an early feminist and would undoubtedly be excited by HRC's campaign. (Original Post) cali Aug 2016 OP
Your mom sounds like she was truly a treasure DemonGoddess Aug 2016 #1
Undoubtedly accomplished. A staunch democrat cali Aug 2016 #2
My first thought, "I wish my mother were here to see this" Ellen Forradalom Aug 2016 #3
Your mother sounds wonderful. cali Aug 2016 #4
Pretty amazing life your mother had. sheshe2 Aug 2016 #5
She would have been excited to see Hillary's success. cali Aug 2016 #6
Thank you for sharing that cali. I found it very uplifting. flea fleabiscuit Aug 2016 #7
 

cali

(114,904 posts)
2. Undoubtedly accomplished. A staunch democrat
Mon Aug 8, 2016, 08:40 AM
Aug 2016

quite distant as a mother. We were all sent away to school- my brother at age 11. We didn't eat dinner with our parents except on weekends when we were kids.

But she was a dynamo and a grand dame in the classic definition of that term:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grande%20dame

Thanks for your comment.

Ellen Forradalom

(16,178 posts)
3. My first thought, "I wish my mother were here to see this"
Mon Aug 8, 2016, 09:27 AM
Aug 2016

Is the exact same sentence I've been reading all over the internet.

My mother, an accomplished musician who wrote a children's musical like it was a shopping list, a writer had one of the high levels of literary culture in French and English I have ever known, and a gentle soul with a gift for ministry, would also have been overjoyed to see this day.

I would have loved to have met your mother.

For our daughters and granddaughters, let's win this one.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
4. Your mother sounds wonderful.
Mon Aug 8, 2016, 09:51 AM
Aug 2016

I haven't a daughter. I do have a son and I think it will be good for our sons as well.

My mother was also a supporter of reproductive rights. She had a friend who died from an illegal botched abortion and she was ferociously pro-choice.

Both my parents were active dems and they put their money where their beliefs lay. My father was a very early supporter of Carter's and threw a benefit for him.

I'll never forget the Carter inaugural ball I attended- largely because I tripped over George Wallace's wheel chair and my skirt went flying up to my waist. The SS guys were laughing as they helped me up. I fled to the bathroom.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
6. She would have been excited to see Hillary's success.
Mon Aug 8, 2016, 01:50 PM
Aug 2016

She was very committed to electing women to office.

Thanks.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Hillary Clinton»My mother was an early fe...