17 Facts About Betsy Gotbaum

Elisabeth A Gotbaum is an American civil servant, politician and a former New York City public advocate.

Betsy Gotbaum was elected Public Advocate for New York City in 2001 and reelected in 2005.

Betsy Gotbaum was the third woman elected to a citywide post in NYC history.

Betsy Gotbaum attended Connecticut College for two years, followed by Barnard College of Columbia University.

Betsy Gotbaum returned to New York several years later and earned a master's degree in education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Betsy Gotbaum became involved in civic affairs in the 1970s, while serving on the staff of former mayor John Lindsay as District Manager for the Chelsea-Clinton Neighborhood, Assistant for Women's Issues, and Assistant for Education.

Betsy Gotbaum created a program engaging New York City in a campaign to purchase bulletproof vests for every police officer.

Betsy Gotbaum created a toll-free Parks hotline and successfully argued for a change in city policy allowing Gay Men's Health Crisis and other organizations use of Central Park for fundraising events.

Betsy Gotbaum rescued the institution from financial collapse, renovated its landmark building, and recalled its collections from various warehouses.

Betsy Gotbaum instituted exhibitions, education and public programs for a diverse and ever-increasing audience, leaving the society with a $33 million endowment.

Betsy Gotbaum resigned from the Historical Society to run for the Office of the Public Advocate.

In 2001, Betsy Gotbaum finished first in the Democratic primary and then defeated Norman Siegel in the Democratic runoff.

At the request of the New York State Legislature, Betsy Gotbaum created a Commission on School Governance to examine mayoral control before it expires in 2009.

Betsy Gotbaum took the oath of office for a second term on January 1,2006.

Betsy Gotbaum's second husband, Victor Gotbaum, was a retired New York City labor leader who served for 22 years as president of AFSCME District Council 37, New York's largest public employee union.

Betsy Gotbaum has a daughter, Barr Hogen, from her first marriage to Timothy Hogen.

On September 28,2007, her stepdaughter-in-law, Carol Betsy Gotbaum, died in custody shortly after she was arrested at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, after getting into a confrontation with gate crews who refused to allow her to board a plane to Tucson, Arizona.