23 Facts About Belle Moskowitz

Belle Moskowitz was an important Progressive reformer and political influencer in the early 20th century.

Belle Moskowitz worked as a political advisor and publicist to New York Governor and 1928 Democratic presidential candidate Al Smith.

Belle Moskowitz was previously known by her birth name Belle Lindner and, after her first marriage in 1903, as Belle Israels.

Belle Moskowitz stayed for only one year, opting instead for private lessons with Henrich Conreid, future Metropolitan Opera director, who believed she had great potential as a performer.

Belle Moskowitz later taught acting and elocution to children and considered work as a professional actress before going into politics.

In 1900, at the age of 23, Belle Moskowitz Lindner became a social worker at the Educational Alliance, an organization whose primary focus was cultural assimilation for Jewish immigrants.

Belle Moskowitz held various appointments there, eventually becoming director of entertainments and exhibits.

Belle Moskowitz joined the New York section of the Council of Jewish Women, another organization that helped Jewish immigrants.

Belle Moskowitz oversaw sick and poor children at a hospital on Randall's Island and visited troubled girls in reformatories.

In 1907, Belle Moskowitz Israels joined the first board of directors for the New York branch of the Travelers' Aid Society, an organization formed with the aim of protecting solo female travelers from trafficking and other situations that threatened their safety.

Belle Moskowitz's first published article, "Social Work Among Young Women", focused on the importance of clubs in girls' socialization as well as the importance women have in shaping communities.

Belle Moskowitz mediated disputes between the Garment District unions and employers as a grievance clerk for the Dress and Waist Manufacturing Association.

Belle Moskowitz was fired from this role for ruling in favor of labor unions in a majority of cases, but was rehired in January 1914 and ascended to the role of labor department manager, staying until fall 1916.

Belle Moskowitz served as group secretary and thought through plans for the mass entry of women into the workforce in the event of a loss of male labor due to the draft.

Belle Moskowitz became one of Smith's most intimate advisors, and worked as his publicist, and he kept her close at hand throughout his eight years as governor of New York State.

Belle Moskowitz advised him throughout the process of enacting broad reforms for the state of New York that would later inspire and direct Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the development of the New Deal during his presidency in 1932.

When Smith became the Democratic Party candidate for President in 1928, Belle Moskowitz worked as his campaign manager.

Belle Moskowitz later worked as his press agent during his attempt for renomination in 1932.

In 1928, following Smith's unsuccessful run for the presidency, Belle Moskowitz opened her own public relations firm, Publicity Associates, one of the first firms independently founded by a woman.

In 1903, Belle Moskowitz married Charles Henry Israels, an artist and architect, whom she met at the Educational Alliance where he had been a volunteer club leader.

Belle Moskowitz was widowed in 1911 when Charles committed suicide.

On December 8,1932, Belle Moskowitz fell down the front steps of her house and, while recovering from her broken bones, died of an embolism on January 2,1933, at age 55.

Belle Moskowitz was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Westchester County.