Letty Cottin Pogrebin

Letty Cottin Pogrebin is a prominent American journalist, author, and activist, known for her work with Ms. magazine, National Organization for Women, and Gloria Steinem. She has written for various publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Harper's Bazaar, and has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and social justice, often collaborating with notable figures like Betty Friedan and Shirley Chisholm. Pogrebin's work has been influenced by her experiences with feminist movement leaders, such as Gloria Anzaldua and Audre Lorde. Her writing often explores themes of gender equality, racism, and antisemitism, as seen in her interactions with Elie Wiesel and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

● Early Life and Education

Letty Cottin Pogrebin was born on June 9, 1939, in Queens, New York, to a family of Jewish immigrants from Poland and Russia. She grew up in a middle-class household with her parents, Jacob Cottin and Cyrla Cottin, and was raised in a liberal and progressive environment, which shaped her future activism and writing. Pogrebin attended Queens College, City University of New York, where she studied English literature and journalism, and was influenced by the works of Virginia Woolf and James Baldwin. She later earned a master's degree in education from New York University, and began her career as a teacher at P.S. 41 in Manhattan, working alongside educators like Jonathan Kozol and Diane Ravitch.

● Career

Pogrebin's career in journalism began in the 1960s, when she started writing for Seventeen magazine and Ladies' Home Journal, often covering topics related to women's health and family planning, and interviewing notable figures like Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood. She later became a contributing editor to Ms. magazine, where she worked with Gloria Steinem and Susan Brownmiller to produce articles on feminism and women's rights, including pieces on Roe v. Wade and Title IX. Pogrebin has also written for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Nation, and has been a frequent commentator on National Public Radio and PBS NewsHour, discussing topics like affirmative action and Supreme Court decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education and Loving v. Virginia.

● Activism and Writing

Pogrebin's activism and writing have focused on issues related to women's empowerment, social justice, and human rights, often in collaboration with organizations like American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch. She has been a vocal advocate for reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial equality, and has worked with notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Pogrebin's books, such as "How to Make It in a Man's World" and "Getting Yours: How to Make the System Work for the Working Woman", offer guidance and support for women navigating patriarchal societies, and have been influenced by the works of Simone de Beauvoir and Betty Friedan. Her writing often explores the intersections of gender, race, and class, as seen in her discussions with Angela Davis and Cornel West.

● Personal Life

Pogrebin is married to Bertrand Pogrebin, a lawyer and activist, and they have three children together, Abigail Pogrebin, David Pogrebin, and Jonathan Pogrebin. She has been open about her experiences with antisemitism and sexism, and has written about the challenges of balancing work and family life, often citing the examples of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O'Connor. Pogrebin has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including work with American Jewish World Service and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and has supported causes like women's health and education, often in partnership with organizations like UNICEF and World Health Organization.

● Awards and Legacy

Pogrebin has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the National Organization for Women's Susan B. Anthony Award and the American Jewish Committee's National Human Relations Award. She has also been recognized for her contributions to feminist literature and social justice activism, and has been named one of the most influential women of the 20th century by Time magazine and The Guardian. Pogrebin's legacy continues to inspire new generations of feminists and activists, including Tarana Burke and Alicia Garza, and her work remains a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and social change, as seen in movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo. Category:American journalists Category:American feminists Category:Jewish American writers