Carole De Saram facts for kids

Carole De Saram, born on February 27, 1939, is an American activist who has worked hard for women's rights. She believes in equal rights for everyone, especially for women. She used to be the president of the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), a group that helps women. Carole focused on making sure women had fair chances, especially in money matters.

Early Life and School

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 never played before, she practiced a lot. She then got into the All City Orchestra and even played a solo at Carnegie Hall.

After high school, she went to Columbia University. She studied Political Science and Economics there.

Her Work

Working on Wall Street

After college, Carole moved to Tribeca in New York City. She started working as a computer analyst at Chemical Bank. She did very well and later became an Assistant Vice President at the bank.

Fighting for Women's Rights

Carole De Saram started speaking up for women in 1964. She sent a long letter to a company called Procter & Gamble. She was unhappy about one of their advertisements for Tide laundry soap. The company listened to her and removed the ad.

While working on Wall Street, Carole learned about a meeting for the National Organization for Women (NOW). She went to her first meeting in 1970. It was held in a church basement because no other place would rent to the women. After this, she joined a big march for women's rights down Fifth Avenue in 1970. Carole became very involved. She worked to stop banks from treating women unfairly when they wanted to get credit or loans. Banks often discriminated against women based on whether they were married or not.

In 1971, Carole and other NOW members did a special protest. They snuck into the American Stock Exchange by pretending to be a garden club. Once inside, they held up a huge banner that said "Woman Power." They also shouted, "We can't bear any more bull!" The Stock Exchange almost stopped completely as brokers booed them. Carole and her group had also arranged for a van to drive around Wall Street. It called out, "Women have taken over Wall Street!" After leaving the Stock Exchange, they marched to the Treasury steps, where many people gathered to see them.

Carole also helped close a Citibank branch for a short time. She encouraged women to close their accounts there. The bank president had to shut the doors. He made all the women line up to close their accounts. Carole and other women held banners outside the bank. This was even filmed and used in a movie. Because of NOW's actions, Citibank changed how they talked about women. They also started to reach out directly to women customers.

In 1974, Carole De Saram was chosen to be the president of the New York chapter of NOW. She called for a hearing with the New York State Human Rights Commission. This hearing was about companies firing pregnant women and not giving them benefits. Carole served two terms as president of the New York NOW chapter.

Also in 1974, Carole spoke to the Congressional Banking Commission. She talked about how banks discriminated against women when giving out credit. At that time, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) even made couples with two incomes prove the woman had been sterilized. This was to get a loan. One year later, in 1975, a new law stopped this unfair rule.

Carole also worked with the State Human Rights Commission in 1974. She fought for pregnant women to receive unemployment benefits. Her efforts helped end this unfair practice. Later, she joined the New York State Human Rights Commission Advisory Council. In the same year, she worked with the National Council of Churches. They took action against companies that had unfair hiring practices.

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

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

In 2009, Carole De Saram stepped down as chairperson of the Tribeca Committee for Community Board 1. However, she stayed on the board. Carole helped create the Tribeca Community Association. She also served as its vice president. 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, named Lisa and Douglas.