Schuster photographed by Bill Brett

Elaine M. Schuster (April 5, 1932 – August 1, 2022) was an American philanthropist, diplomat, civic leader, and Democratic Party activist.

Public service

For the 64th UN session (2009–2010), President Barack Obama appointed Schuster to serve as a Public Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.[1] Schuster focused her work for the U.N. in the area of human trafficking.

Philanthropy

In 2004, she and her husband, Gerald, founded The Elaine and Gerald Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University.[2] Along with her husband, Schuster founded a community-based network center, called PEACE (Partnerships in Education and Community Enrichment).[3] She also led the Schuster Family Foundation’s efforts to establish a Transplant Center as well as a Surgical Suite named for them at Brigham and Women's Hospital.[4][5]

Awards and honors

Schuster and her husband received the Heritage Society Award from the Brigham & Women’s Hospital. She had been honored by Franciscan Children’s Hospital.[6] In 2011, Schuster was honored by the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.[7] In 2013, Schuster was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree from Brandeis University for her commitment to education, health care and human rights.[8] She was also named by Boston Magazine as one of 100 Women who Run Boston.[9]

Political activism

Schuster was active in Democratic politics on both the state and national level. She served as Finance Chair to Senator John Kerry, as National Advisory Board member and the New England Chair for Hillary Clinton’s Presidential Campaign and as Chair of the Democratic National Committee’s Women’s Leadership Forum. Prior to her passing, the Massachusetts State Democratic Party honored her for her work on behalf of Democratic values.[1]

Personal life

Schuster was born on April 5, 1932.[10] She was married to the late Gerald Schuster, the President of Continental Wingate Company Inc. Schuster lived in Boston, Massachusetts, Osterville, Massachusetts, and Palm Beach, Florida.

Death

Schuster died on August 1, 2022, at the age of 90.[11][12] Attorney General Maura Healey said of Schuster, "Elaine was in a league of her own in terms of her giving, her philanthropy, her engagement in politics, and her support of women candidates in particular... There’ll never be another Elaine Schuster.”[13][14] Former US Secretary of State John Kerry called her "a towering force of nature."[15][16]

References

  1. ^ a b "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 9/22/09 | The White House". Whitehouse.gov. September 22, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  2. ^ "About the Institute | Schuster Institute | Brandeis University". Brandeis.edu. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  3. ^ Donnelly, Shannon. "Doctorate elevates achievements to the nth degree". Palm Beach Daily News. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  4. ^ "Board Biographies – Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service – Tufts University". Activecitizen.tufts.edu. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  5. ^ Goldstein, Meredith. "Celebrating the Brigham's new transplant center". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  6. ^ Kampeas, Ron (September 22, 2009). "Elaine Schuster, Brandeis giver, gets U.N. nod | Capital J | JTA – Jewish & Israel News". Blogs.jta.org. Archived from the original on January 31, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  7. ^ "Chelsea Clinton wows charity crowd with off-the-cuff tribute to her late grandmother – Political Intelligence – A national political and campaign blog from The Boston Globe". Boston.com. November 14, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  8. ^ "Elaine Schuster | Honorary Degree Recipients | Commencement 2013 | Brandeis University". www.brandeis.edu. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  9. ^ "Power: The 100 Women Who Run This Town (continued)". Boston Magazine. May 15, 2006. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  10. ^ "Elaine M. Schuster". Legacy. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  11. ^ "Elaine Schuster Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  12. ^ Marquard, Bryan (August 3, 2022). "Elaine Schuster, philanthropist and political benefactor 'in a league of her own,' dies at 90". Boston Globe. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  13. ^ "Elaine Schuster Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  14. ^ Marquard, Bryan (August 3, 2022). "Elaine Schuster, philanthropist and political benefactor 'in a league of her own,' dies at 90". Boston Globe. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  15. ^ "Elaine Schuster Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  16. ^ Marquard, Bryan (August 3, 2022). "Elaine Schuster, philanthropist and political benefactor 'in a league of her own,' dies at 90". Boston Globe. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
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