Belle Moskowitz: Feminine Politics and the Exercise of Power in the Age of Alfred E. Smith

by Elisabeth Israels Perry

Overview

As the closest advisor to Alfred E. Smith, four-term Democratic governor of New York and presidential candidate, Belle Moskowitz (1877-1933) was the most powerful woman in Democratic party politics during the 1920s. She served as Smith's strategist, public relations director, and campaign manager, and was a major force in shaping the social welfare programs for which his administration is best known today. This well-crafted feminist biography restores to history the career of a pioneering activist who achieved unprecedented influence in American politics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138386631
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/12/2018
Series:	Routledge Library Editions: Women and Politics , #6
Pages:	306
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

About the Author:
Elisabeth Israels Perry is Associate Professor of History at Vanderbilt University.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Guardian Angel of the Lower East Side 2. A New Woman 3. The Motherhood of the Commonwealth 4. Beyond the Committee Stage 5. Apostle of Industrial Peace 6. From Social Reform to Politics 7. Building the Partnership 8. A Power for Good 9. Policy and Publicity 10. The Selling of Al Smith. Epilogue. Appendix. Notes. Select Bibliography. Index.

Editorial Reviews

Perry, granddaughter of social activist Moskowitz, tells how the twice-widowed mother of three became a political strategist for New York governor and presidential candidate Alfred E. Smith. Illustrated. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In Belle Moskowitz: Feminine Politics And The Exercise Of Power In The Age Of Alfred E. Smith, Elisabeth Perry presents an impressive work of biographical scholarship on the woman who was four-term Democratic governor of New York and unsuccessful presidential candidate, Alfred E. Smith's closet political advisor. Bell Moskowitz (1877-1933) was the most powerful woman in Democratic party politics during the 1920s and served as Smith's strategist, public relations director, and campaign manager. She was also a major force in shaping the social welfare programs for which his gubernatorial administration is best remembered for today. A well-crafted feminist biography, Belle Moskowitz showcases a pioneering female activist who achieved unprecedented influence in American politics, only to fall into an undeserved obscurity. Belle Moskowitz redresses that historical oversight and is a very highly recommended contribution to women's studies, American political history, and feminist biography collections.

Internet Bookwatch

"This compact, compassionate biography honors an extraordinary life. . . In view of the imposing obstacles she overcame, Moskowitz's achievements 50 years ago ought to encourage the pragmatic women in politics today." —David Seidman, New York Times Book Review

"Belle Moskowitz belonged to a remarkable generation of skillful, energetic women whose reforming labors helped create modern urban liberalism in this century. . . . This is a fine introduction to a figure, who, like her compatriot Eleanor Roosevelt, defined the politics of her era as much as did the men who held high office."—Michael Kazin, Washington Post

From the Publisher