Barbara Handman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Barbara Ann Schlein (1928-03-11)March 11, 1928 Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | November 14, 2013(2013-11-14) (aged 85) New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Bobbie |
| Occupation(s) | Arts activist, political consultant |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Barbara "Bobbie"Handman (March 11, 1928[1] – November 14, 2013) was an American political consultant and arts activist, known for her role in preserving historicBroadway theater houses. She was the executive vice-president and New York City office director ofPeople for the American Way from 1981 until 2003.[2][3]
Born inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania on March 11, 1928,[4] Handman was the wife of stage director and teacherWynn Handman.
Handman's daughter, Laura Handman, is married toHarold M. Ickes.[4]
In 1982, Handman helped to found Save the Theatres, an organization that tried unsuccessfully to prevent the razing of the Morosco, Helen Hayes, and Bijou Theaters.[5][6] In 1988, the group succeeded in having twenty-eight Broadway houses designated as landmarks by theNew York City Board of Estimate.[7]
Handman served on the board of the Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation and on theFranklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Commission.[8]
She was awarded theNational Medal of Arts in 1998 for her work as an arts advocate.[4]
Handman died in New York City on November 14, 2013.[4]