27 Facts About Peggy Cooper Cafritz

1.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz studied it closely, rearranging elements of the painting in her head, and, as she got older, making up stories based on it.

2.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz's mother furthered this appreciation of visual art by having Cafritz sit with her and look through coffee table books on art.

3.

At the age of 10, Peggy Cooper Cafritz was sent to a Catholic summer camp in Michigan, where she was the only Black camper.

4.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz's father sent here there knowingly, believing it was important for her to get to know the white world.

5.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz was sent back there again the following year.

6.

In 1964, during the civil rights movement, Peggy Cooper Cafritz moved to Washington, DC, to attend George Washington University.

7.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz discussed with her friends their shared frustration with the exclusion of Black people from the museum world as well as the performing arts and other cultural institutions.

8.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz went on to attend George Washington University Law School, and received her JD degree in 1971.

9.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz said her father's suicide stemmed from financial difficulties.

10.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz wanted to bring the money of the white people and the power of the black people in Washington, DC, together in unity.

11.

In 1972, Cafritz began work at Post-Newsweek stations, later renamed Graham Media Group, where she was an assistant to Harry Belafonte and M Carl Holman, president of the National Urban Coalition.

12.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz began making documentaries, a job in which she was tenacious.

13.

In 1968, while still a student at GW, Peggy Cooper Cafritz chaired a Black Arts Festival, sponsored by the Black Peoples Union and held in partnership with DC Public Schools and the city's Parks and Recreation department.

14.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz turned that first festival into a regular summer arts festival.

15.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz wanted students to defy the common art world belief that artists of color needed to eschew abstract art in favor of making narrative art that addressed inequality.

16.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz began her art collection in college by purchasing several pieces of African art brought back from the continent by members of Howard University's Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, some of whom had dropped out of college and supported themselves by reselling art they bought in Africa.

17.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz's relationship with Conrad Peggy Cooper Cafritz, who was born into wealth and was a successful real estate developer, gave her the ability to become a serious art collector.

18.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz was critical of the lack of inclusion of and opportunity for Black artists in the mainstream American art world, and her interest in racial equity was linked to her values as an art collector.

19.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz was the youngest trustee ever appointed to the American Film Institute.

20.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz joined the Painting and Sculpture Acquisitions Committee at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

21.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz reached a settlement with the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority over the fire for their inadequate pressure in the hydrants.

22.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz moved to Dupont Circle in 2010 and continued to grow her collection.

23.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz was DC school board president from 2000 to 2006.

24.

The couple divorced in 1998; in the divorce documents, Peggy Cooper Cafritz said her husband had cheated on her and had contempt for her friends and family who were black.

25.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz had many mentees, unofficial foster children, and several godchildren, including Susan Rice and her brother, John.

26.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz was a prominent figure in the Washington, DC social scene, socializing with cultural and political figures including Quincy Jones, Gloria Steinem, Bill Clinton, Vernon Jordan, and Alma Powell.

27.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz died in Washington, DC on February 18,2018, from complications from pneumonia after a period of declining health.