Polly Spiegel Cowan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pauline Spiegel Cowan
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|---|---|
| Born |
Pauline Spiegel
1913 |
| Died | 1976 |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Co-founding Wednesdays in Mississippi |
| Spouse(s) | Louis G. Cowan |
| Children | Paul Cowan Geoffrey Cowan |
| Parent(s) | Lena Straus Spiegel Modie Spiegel |
| Family | John Patrick Spiegel (brother) Joseph Spiegel (grandfather) |
Pauline "Polly" Spiegel Cowan (1913–1976) was an American activist. She worked to help people gain equal rights during the Civil Rights Movement. She is best known for helping to start a group called Wednesdays in Mississippi.
Polly's Early Life
Pauline was born Penelope Spiegel in 1913. She was the youngest of four children. Her parents were Lena (née Straus) and Modie Spiegel. Her family had German Jewish roots. They lived in Kenilworth, Illinois.
Pauline had three older brothers: Frederick, Modie Jr., and John P. Spiegel. Even though her family had Jewish heritage, they were raised in the Christian Science faith.
Education and Career
Pauline went to Sarah Lawrence College. There, she studied with important teachers like Max Lerner. After college, she wrote an essay for her school magazine. It was called "Pleading for Pink." In this essay, she wrote about her ideas for a fair society.
In 1939, Pauline moved to New York City. She worked there with her husband, Louis G. Cowan. They both produced shows for radio and television.
Working for Change
Pauline became very involved in helping others. In 1952, her husband worked on the media campaign for Adlai Stevenson II. Pauline led a group called "Women Volunteers for Stevenson." This group helped get women involved in the campaign.
Later, her husband got a job at CBS. Pauline then focused more on social activism. She first worked with the Citizens Committee for Children. After that, she joined the National Council of Negro Women.
In 1964, Pauline helped create an important group. It was called Wednesdays in Mississippi. She started it with Dorothy Height. This group worked to support civil rights in Mississippi. Pauline was also an honorary member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Family Life
Pauline married twice. Her second marriage was to Louis G. Cowan on August 7, 1939.
Pauline and Louis had four children together. Their children were Paul Cowan, Geoffrey Cowan, Holly Cowan Shulman, and Liza Cowan. Pauline and her husband passed away in 1976.
