Carole De Saram facts for kids

Carole De Saram (born February 27, 1939) is an American feminist and women's rights activist. She has worked hard for equal rights for women. She used to be the president of the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Carole believed that women's equality was linked to economic fairness.

Early Life and Education

Carole De Saram was born in Queens, New York, on February 27, 1939. She went to Grover Cleveland High School in Queens. In high school, she was given a French horn in music class. Even though she had no training, she practiced a lot. She then joined the All City Orchestra. She even played a French horn solo at Carnegie Hall.

She later studied at Columbia University. She earned a degree in Political Science and Economics.

Career and Activism

Working on Wall Street

After college, Carole De Saram moved to Tribeca. She started working as a computer analyst at Chemical Bank. She later became an Assistant Vice President at the bank.

Fighting for Women's Rights

Carole's first protest was in 1964. She wrote a long letter to Procter & Gamble. She was upset about an advertisement for Tide detergent. The company replied to her and then removed the ad.

While working, a friend told Carole about a meeting. It was for the National Organization for Women (NOW). Her first meeting was in 1970. It was held in a church basement because no other place would rent to women. After this, she joined a march for women's rights. This march happened on Fifth Avenue in 1970. Carole started focusing on ending unfair credit rules for women. These rules often depended on if a woman was married.

In 1971, Carole and other NOW members did a "zap action." This means they did a surprise protest. They pretended to be a garden club to get into the American Stock Exchange. Once inside, they held up a big banner. It said "Woman Power." They also yelled, "We can't bear any more bull!" The Stock Exchange almost stopped working. Brokers booed the protesters. Carole and her group had a van ready outside. It drove around Wall Street saying, "Women have taken over Wall Street!" After leaving, they marched to the Treasury steps. Many people gathered to watch them.

Carole also caused a Citibank branch to close. She encouraged women to close their accounts there. The bank president saw this and closed the doors. He made all women line up to close their accounts. Carole and other women held banners outside the bank. This was filmed and used in a movie. Because of NOW's actions, Citibank changed how they talked about women. They also started reaching out to women directly.

In 1974, Carole De Saram became president of the New York NOW chapter. She called a hearing about firing pregnant women. She also fought for them to get benefits. Carole served two terms as president.

Also in 1974, Carole spoke to the Congressional Banking Commission. She talked about how women faced unfair credit rules. At that time, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had a strange rule. If a couple had two incomes, the woman had to prove she was sterilized. This rule was banned by federal law in 1975.

Carole also fought the State Human Rights Commission in 1974. She wanted pregnant women to get unemployment benefits. Her work ended this unfair practice. She later joined the New York State Human Rights Commission Advisory Council. That same year, she worked with the National Council of Churches. They took action against companies with unfair hiring rules.

In 1975, Carole had an idea for a Women's Bank. She was also on the Advisory Board of Directors. She worked with a group of women to start a Feminist Credit Union.

Carole left the bank in 1981. She then worked for Mayor Ed Koch's government. She became New York City's Commissioner of the Treasury.

In 2009, Carole De Saram stepped down as chairperson of the Tribeca Committee. This committee was part of Community Board 1. But she stayed on the board. Carole helped create the Tribeca Community Association. She also helped form the Committee for the Washington Market Historic District.

Personal Life

Carole De Saram is married to Raymond Erickson. He is a musician and a scholar. She has two children, Lisa and Douglas.