Elinor Guggenheimer
Encyclopedia
Elinor Sophia Coleman "Ellie" Guggenheimer (11 April 1912 – 29 September 2008) was an American
civic leader, author, and philanthropist in New York City
.
, she attended Vassar College
before transferring to Barnard College
, where she graduated in 1933. She married lawyer Randolph Guggenheimer in 1932.
Guggenheimer founded the Day Care Council of New York in 1948 and joined the New York City Planning Commission in 1961. In 1969 she ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic Party primary to be their candidate for president of the New York City Council
. In 1973, she founded the New York Women's Forum, and she served as commissioner of consumer affairs in the 1970s. Later, Guggenheimer founded the New York Women's Agenda
in 1992 and the Council of Senior Centers and Services.
Her philanthropy focused on women, the elderly, and Jewish causes. Guggenheimer wrote the books Planning for Parks and Recreation in Urban Areas and an instructional manual for entertaining called The Pleasure of Your Company. Her 1983 musical Potholes had a short run off-Broadway
.
Her lifetime of service earned her a Presidential Citizens Medal
in 1997 from President Clinton
. Guggenheimer died in Manhattan.
She is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha
sorority.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
civic leader, author, and philanthropist in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Life and career
Born in ManhattanManhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, she attended Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
before transferring to Barnard College
Barnard College
Barnard College is a private women's liberal arts college and a member of the Seven Sisters. Founded in 1889, Barnard has been affiliated with Columbia University since 1900. The campus stretches along Broadway between 116th and 120th Streets in the Morningside Heights neighborhood in the borough...
, where she graduated in 1933. She married lawyer Randolph Guggenheimer in 1932.
Guggenheimer founded the Day Care Council of New York in 1948 and joined the New York City Planning Commission in 1961. In 1969 she ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic Party primary to be their candidate for president of the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
. In 1973, she founded the New York Women's Forum, and she served as commissioner of consumer affairs in the 1970s. Later, Guggenheimer founded the New York Women's Agenda
New York Women's Agenda
The New York Women’s Agenda is an umbrella organization of women's groups in the New York City metropolitan area. Its membership consists of both nonprofit women's organizations and individuals.-About NYWA:...
in 1992 and the Council of Senior Centers and Services.
Her philanthropy focused on women, the elderly, and Jewish causes. Guggenheimer wrote the books Planning for Parks and Recreation in Urban Areas and an instructional manual for entertaining called The Pleasure of Your Company. Her 1983 musical Potholes had a short run off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
.
Her lifetime of service earned her a Presidential Citizens Medal
Presidential Citizens Medal
The Presidential Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian award in the United States, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is awarded by the President of the United States, and may be given posthumously....
in 1997 from President Clinton
William Clinton
Bill Clinton is the 42nd President of the United States. William Clinton may also refer to:*William de Clinton, 1st Earl of Huntingdon , English nobleman from prominent Norman family dating to William the Conqueror; Lord High Admiral as of 1333*William Henry Clinton , British general from...
. Guggenheimer died in Manhattan.
She is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women. The sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group of nine students, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle...
sorority.
Sources
External links
- Elinor C. Guggenheimer via New York Women's Agenda