Ruth B. Mandel

Ruth B. Mandel was a pioneering American political scientist, author, and academic leader renowned for her expertise on women in American politics. She served as the director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University for over two decades, transforming it into a nationally recognized center for political education and research. Mandel also made significant contributions to public service as a member of the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service and through her foundational scholarship, including her influential book In the Running: The New Woman Candidate. Her career was dedicated to advancing political participation and understanding, earning her numerous accolades from institutions like the National Women's Hall of Fame and the American Political Science Association.

Early life and education

Ruth B. Mandel was born on October 25, 1938, in Vienna, Austria, on the eve of World War II. Her family, fleeing the Nazi regime, immigrated to the United States in 1939, settling in New York City. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Brooklyn College in 1960. Mandel later pursued graduate studies in English literature at the University of Connecticut, receiving a Master of Arts before shifting her academic focus to political science, culminating in a Ph.D. from the same institution in 1975.

Career and activism

Mandel's early career combined academia with direct political activism, focusing on increasing the representation of women in public life. She taught at Rutgers University and became a leading voice analyzing the barriers faced by women candidates, authoring the seminal 1981 study In the Running: The New Woman Candidate. Her work provided critical empirical analysis of women's campaigns for offices like the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate. Mandel also served as a consultant to organizations such as the National Women's Political Caucus and the Ford Foundation, advising on strategies to achieve political equity.

Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service

In 1995, President Bill Clinton appointed Mandel to the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service, where she served until 2005. During her tenure, she helped oversee the operations of one of the nation's largest civilian federal agencies during a period of significant technological change and financial challenge. Her governance contributed to strategic discussions on modernizing the Postal Service and maintaining universal mail service across the United States.

Eagleton Institute of Politics

Mandel's most enduring professional legacy is her leadership of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Appointed director in 1971, she guided the institute for 24 years, expanding its mission to include practical political education, polling through the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling, and pioneering research on women's political leadership. Under her direction, Eagleton established programs like the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), which became a premier national resource for data and analysis on women in American politics.

Awards and recognition

Mandel received widespread recognition for her contributions to political science and public service. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2008. The American Political Science Association awarded her the Frank J. Goodnow Award for distinguished service to the profession. She also received honorary degrees from institutions including Dickinson College and Bryn Mawr College, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame honored her for her lasting impact on the state's civic life.

Personal life and legacy

In 1994, she married historian and author Michael R. Beschloss. Ruth B. Mandel died on April 11, 2020, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Her legacy endures through the ongoing work of the Eagleton Institute of Politics and the Center for American Women and Politics, which continue to train new generations of political leaders and scholars. Her scholarly work remains a cornerstone in the study of gender and politics, influencing countless academics and activists committed to achieving parity in political representation. Category:American political scientists Category:1938 births Category:2020 deaths