Jump to content

Esther Coopersmith: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Early years: Add colleges.
m Disambiguating links to Democratic Party (link changed to Democratic Party (United States)) using DisamAssist.
(15 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
| birth_place = [[Des Moines, Iowa]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Des Moines, Iowa]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|03|26|1930|01|18}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|03|26|1930|01|18}}
| death_place = [[Kalorama Heights]], [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| death_place = Washington, D.C., U.S.
| spouse = {{marriage|end=died|Jack Coopersmith|1954|1991}}
| children = 4
| occupation = {{hlist|Diplomat|political lobbyist}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Diplomat|political lobbyist}}
| years_active = 1952–2023
| years_active = 1952–2023
| known_for = [[UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador]] (since 2009)
| title = [[UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador]] (since 2009)
}}
}}


Line 18: Line 20:


==Early years==
==Early years==
Esther Lipsen was born on January 18, 1930, in [[Des Moines, Iowa]]; her father was an emigrant cattle dealer from present-day [[Moldova]] and her mother was a homemaker from [[Romania]].<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> They moved to [[Mazomanie, Wisconsin]], and Lipsen became interested in politics at age 8, after listening to President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s [[fireside chats]] on the radio.<ref name="ELC" /> After graduating from high school, she studied at the [[University of Denver]] and later at the [[University of Wisconsin]], where she joined the [[Young Democrats of America]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langer |first1=Emily |title=Esther Coopersmith, Washington diplomat and doyenne, dies at 94 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/03/28/esther-coopersmith-washington-dead/ |publisher=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=March 29, 2024 |date=March 28, 2024}}</ref> She became actively involved in politics in 1952, when she filled in to chair an event for the presidential [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] hopeful, Tennessee senator [[Estes Kefauver]], who went on to win the Wisconsin [[primary election]] and 11 of the 15 others across the country, even defeating sitting President [[Harry S. Truman]], who then withdrew his re-election campaign.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> Kefauver asked Lipsen to open and manage a campaign office for the [[Chicago]] convention. Not having any experience with such a job, she asked a rival politician's aides for advice. Despite Kefauver's popularity and campaign success, he lost the Democratic nomination to Illinois governor [[Adlai Stevenson II]]. Lipsen then organized Young Democrat campaign clubs to support Stevenson. Although Kefauver invited her to [[Washington, D.C.]] in 1954, he did not hire her, despite his desire to run in future presidential elections.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" />
Esther Lipsen was born on January 18, 1930, in [[Des Moines, Iowa]]; her father was an emigrant cattle dealer from present-day [[Moldova]] and her mother was a homemaker from [[Romania]].<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> They moved to [[Mazomanie, Wisconsin]], and Lipsen became interested in politics at age 8, after listening to President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s [[fireside chats]] on the radio.<ref name="ELC" /> After graduating from high school, she studied at the [[University of Denver]] and later at the [[University of Wisconsin]], where she joined the [[Young Democrats of America]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langer |first1=Emily |title=Esther Coopersmith, Washington diplomat and doyenne, dies at 94 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/03/28/esther-coopersmith-washington-dead/ |publisher=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=March 29, 2024 |date=March 28, 2024}}</ref> She became actively involved in politics in 1952, when she filled in to chair an event for the presidential [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] hopeful, Tennessee senator [[Estes Kefauver]], who went on to win the Wisconsin [[primary election]] and 11 of the 15 others across the country, even defeating sitting President [[Harry S. Truman]], who then withdrew his re-election campaign.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> Kefauver asked Lipsen to open and manage a campaign office for the Chicago convention. Not having any experience with such a job, she asked a rival politician's aides for advice. Despite Kefauver's popularity and campaign success, he lost the Democratic nomination to Illinois governor [[Adlai Stevenson II]]. Lipsen then organized Young Democrat campaign clubs to support Stevenson. Although Kefauver invited her to Washington, D.C., in 1954, he did not hire her, despite his desire to run in future presidential elections.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" />


==Wife, diplomat, and ambassador==
==Wife, diplomat, and ambassador==
While in Washington D.C., Lipsen met real estate developer Jack Coopersmith. They married in 1954 and had four children within 8 years.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> In 1964, Jack remained in Washington, while Esther traveled the country for President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]'s family, hosting barbecues for his two daughters. She also served as one of Johnson's [[White House]] staff.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" />
While in Washington, D.C., Lipsen met real estate developer Jack Coopersmith. They married in 1954 and had four children within 8 years.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> In 1964, Jack remained in Washington, while Esther traveled the country for President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]'s family, hosting barbecues for his two daughters. She also served as one of Johnson's [[White House]] staff.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" />


In 1972, she supported [[Joe Biden]] when he ran in the [[1972 United States Senate election in Delaware|United States Senate election]]. She even hosted a fundraiser for him at her home in 2023.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> During the 1978 [[Camp David Accords]] with President [[Jimmy Carter]], Israeli Prime Minister [[Menachem Begin]] and Egyptian President [[Anwar Sadat]], Coopersmith hosted a party for the [[news media]]. One year later, Carter appointed her as a representative of the U.S. for the [[United Nations]] (UN), her first paying job since the 1950s.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> In 1984, the UN awarded her its [[United Nations Peace Medal|Peace Medal]], making her only the second woman at the time to receive the honor.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> In 1991, she accompanied then-governor [[Bill Clinton]] to [[Moscow]] to improve his knowledge of foreign policy for his plans to run for the U.S. presidency.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" />
Coopersmith’s home was a renowned gathering place for the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] powerful. She hosted - and had signed photographs - from every US president since [[Harry Truman]] to Biden - excluding [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Walker |first1=Hunter |last2=Luppen |first2=Luppe B. |title=The Truce: Progressives, Centrists, and the Future of the Democratic Party |chapter=Kalorama |publisher=W. W. norton & Company |year=2024 }}</ref>
In 1972, she supported [[Joe Biden]] when he ran in the [[1972 United States Senate election in Delaware|United States Senate election]]. She even hosted a fundraiser for him at her home in 2023.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> During the 1978 [[Camp David Accords]] with President [[Jimmy Carter]], Israeli Prime Minister [[Menachem Begin]] and Egyptian President [[Anwar Sadat]], Coopersmith hosted a party for the news media. One year later, Carter appointed her as a representative of the U.S. for the United Nations (UN), her first paying job since the 1950s.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> In 1984, the UN awarded her its [[United Nations Peace Medal|Peace Medal]], making her only the second woman at the time to receive the honor.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" /> In 1991, she accompanied then-governor [[Bill Clinton]] to Moscow to improve his knowledge of foreign policy for his plans to run for the U.S. presidency.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" />


In 2009, UNESCO named Coopersmith a Goodwill Ambassador "in light of her outstanding contribution to strengthening mutual understanding between peoples and her unfailing commitment to fostering intercultural dialogue."<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" />
In 2009, UNESCO named Coopersmith a Goodwill Ambassador "in light of her outstanding contribution to strengthening mutual understanding between peoples and her unfailing commitment to fostering intercultural dialogue."<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /><ref name="ELC" />


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
[[File:Coopersmith residence, Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|Coopersmith's home in [[Kalorama Heights]], Washington, D.C.]]
Following her husband Jack's death in 1991, Coopersmith sold their home in [[Potomac, Maryland]], and bought and renovated a house in [[Kalorama Heights]] in D.C.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /> She rarely ventured from it, however that didn't affect her desire to be diplomatic. She turned it into a museum of sorts, displaying all the memorabilia she collected over the years, and hosted dignitaries for between 50 and 75 events in it. Her last trip abroad was in 2023 to celebrate the [[UNESCO#US withdrawals|U.S. re-entering UNESCO]].<ref name="ELC" />
Following her husband Jack's death in 1991, Coopersmith sold their home in [[Potomac, Maryland]], and bought and renovated a house in [[Kalorama Heights]] in D.C.<ref name="TWDCoopersmith" /> She rarely ventured from it, however that didn't affect her desire to be diplomatic. She turned it into a museum of sorts, displaying all the memorabilia she collected over the years, and hosted dignitaries for between 50 and 75 events in it. Her last trip abroad was in 2023 to celebrate the [[UNESCO#US withdrawals|U.S. re-entering UNESCO]].<ref name="ELC" />


Coopersmith died from cancer at her home on March 26, 2024, at the age of 94.<ref name="ELC"/><ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/31/us/esther-coopersmith-dead.html|title = Esther Coopersmith, 94, Washington Diplomat at Her Dinner Table, Dies|date = April 1, 2024|page = B5|last = Seelye|first = Katharine Q.|accessdate = April 1, 2024|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]|url-access = limited}}</ref>
Coopersmith died from cancer on March 26, 2024, at the age of 94.<ref name="ELC"/>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 38: Line 43:
* [https://www.unanca.org/about-us/advisory-council/esther-coopersmith Profile at UNA-CNA]
* [https://www.unanca.org/about-us/advisory-council/esther-coopersmith Profile at UNA-CNA]
* [https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/03/28/statement-from-president-biden-on-the-passing-of-esther-coopersmith/ Statement from President Biden on the Passing of Esther Coopersmith]
* [https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/03/28/statement-from-president-biden-on-the-passing-of-esther-coopersmith/ Statement from President Biden on the Passing of Esther Coopersmith]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCsKUM1VCW4 Coopersmith's 90 birthday celebration] on YouTube

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Coopersmith, Esther}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Coopersmith, Esther}}
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:American people of Moldovan-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Romanian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American women diplomats]]
[[Category:American women diplomats]]
[[Category:People from Des Moines, Iowa]]
[[Category:People from Des Moines, Iowa]]
[[Category:People from Mazomanie, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:People from Mazomanie, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors]]
[[Category:UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors]]
[[Category:University of Denver alumni]]
[[Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:People from Kalorama (Washington, D.C.)]]

Revision as of 20:09, 3 July 2024

Esther Coopersmith
Coopersmith (left) with Nancy Pelosi in 2023
Born
Esther Lipsen

(1930-01-18)January 18, 1930
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
DiedMarch 26, 2024(2024-03-26) (aged 94)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Occupations
  • Diplomat
  • political lobbyist
Years active1952–2023
TitleUNESCO Goodwill Ambassador (since 2009)
Spouse
Jack Coopersmith
​
​
(m. 1954; died 1991)​
Children4

Esther Lipsen Coopersmith (January 18, 1930 – March 26, 2024) was an American diplomat, philanthropist, political lobbyist, and a champion for women's equality. For over 70 years, she organized gatherings, from small dinners to grand formal ones, across the world. Her client list varied from politicians and visiting royals to academics and actors. In 2009, UNESCO named her a goodwill ambassador for "fostering intercultural dialogue".[1][2]

Early years

Esther Lipsen was born on January 18, 1930, in Des Moines, Iowa; her father was an emigrant cattle dealer from present-day Moldova and her mother was a homemaker from Romania.[1][2] They moved to Mazomanie, Wisconsin, and Lipsen became interested in politics at age 8, after listening to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats on the radio.[2] After graduating from high school, she studied at the University of Denver and later at the University of Wisconsin, where she joined the Young Democrats of America.[3] She became actively involved in politics in 1952, when she filled in to chair an event for the presidential Democratic hopeful, Tennessee senator Estes Kefauver, who went on to win the Wisconsin primary election and 11 of the 15 others across the country, even defeating sitting President Harry S. Truman, who then withdrew his re-election campaign.[1][2] Kefauver asked Lipsen to open and manage a campaign office for the Chicago convention. Not having any experience with such a job, she asked a rival politician's aides for advice. Despite Kefauver's popularity and campaign success, he lost the Democratic nomination to Illinois governor Adlai Stevenson II. Lipsen then organized Young Democrat campaign clubs to support Stevenson. Although Kefauver invited her to Washington, D.C., in 1954, he did not hire her, despite his desire to run in future presidential elections.[1][2]

Wife, diplomat, and ambassador

While in Washington, D.C., Lipsen met real estate developer Jack Coopersmith. They married in 1954 and had four children within 8 years.[1][2] In 1964, Jack remained in Washington, while Esther traveled the country for President Lyndon B. Johnson's family, hosting barbecues for his two daughters. She also served as one of Johnson's White House staff.[1][2]

Coopersmith’s home was a renowned gathering place for the Democratic Party powerful. She hosted - and had signed photographs - from every US president since Harry Truman to Biden - excluding Donald Trump.[4]

In 1972, she supported Joe Biden when he ran in the United States Senate election. She even hosted a fundraiser for him at her home in 2023.[1][2] During the 1978 Camp David Accords with President Jimmy Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Coopersmith hosted a party for the news media. One year later, Carter appointed her as a representative of the U.S. for the United Nations (UN), her first paying job since the 1950s.[1][2] In 1984, the UN awarded her its Peace Medal, making her only the second woman at the time to receive the honor.[1][2] In 1991, she accompanied then-governor Bill Clinton to Moscow to improve his knowledge of foreign policy for his plans to run for the U.S. presidency.[1][2]

In 2009, UNESCO named Coopersmith a Goodwill Ambassador "in light of her outstanding contribution to strengthening mutual understanding between peoples and her unfailing commitment to fostering intercultural dialogue."[1][2]

Personal life

Coopersmith's home in Kalorama Heights, Washington, D.C.

Following her husband Jack's death in 1991, Coopersmith sold their home in Potomac, Maryland, and bought and renovated a house in Kalorama Heights in D.C.[1] She rarely ventured from it, however that didn't affect her desire to be diplomatic. She turned it into a museum of sorts, displaying all the memorabilia she collected over the years, and hosted dignitaries for between 50 and 75 events in it. Her last trip abroad was in 2023 to celebrate the U.S. re-entering UNESCO.[2]

Coopersmith died from cancer at her home on March 26, 2024, at the age of 94.[2][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Luxner, Larry (October 4, 2022). "Esther Coopersmith reflects on her legacy of 'bringing people together'". The Washington Diplomat. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Esther Lipsen Coopersmith". Legacy.com. March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Langer, Emily (March 28, 2024). "Esther Coopersmith, Washington diplomat and doyenne, dies at 94". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Walker, Hunter; Luppen, Luppe B. (2024). "Kalorama". The Truce: Progressives, Centrists, and the Future of the Democratic Party. W. W. norton & Company.
  5. ^ Seelye, Katharine Q. (April 1, 2024). "Esther Coopersmith, 94, Washington Diplomat at Her Dinner Table, Dies". The New York Times. p. B5. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Esther_Coopersmith&oldid=1232450963"