The Melting Pot: Russian Jewish New York

Case 6: Their Children: Next Generation > Bella Abzug


BELLA ABZUG, 1920–1998


Daughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants, Esther and Manny Savitsky, she was born and grew up in the Bronx. Well-known American political figure and leader of the women’s movement. She graduated from Columbia University Law School and became an attorney in the 1940s, a time when very few women did so. She served the state of New York in the United States House of Representatives, representing a district including much of the southern part of Manhattan, from 1971 to 1977. After three terms in Congress, she ran for the then all- male United States Senate, but lost the Democratic primary. She also lost her bid for New York City Mayor in 1977.

 

 

Bella S. Abzug Papers
Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Gift of Bella S. Abzug, 1976, 1981

 

Rare Book & Manuscript Library / Butler Library, 6th Fl. East / 535 West 114th St. / New York, NY 10027 / (212) 854-5153 / rbml@libraries.cul.columia.edu