Gilman, Elisabeth (1867–1950)
Gilman, Elisabeth (1867–1950)
American socialist and reformer. Born Elisabeth Gilman, Dec 25, 1867, in New Haven, Connecticut; died Dec 14, 1950, in Baltimore, Maryland; dau. of Daniel Coit Gilman (educator) and Mary Ketcham.
Through father's status in Baltimore society, found early role in social work; founded St. Paul's Guild House, boys' club; helped soldiers overseas during WWI (1917–19), which propelled her toward socialist principals; revived and served as director of Open Forum, a weekly discussion forum that reflected her socialist and labor leanings; ran as Socialist party's candidate for governor of Maryland (1930), US senator (1934, 1938), and mayor of Baltimore (1935); sat on board of League for Industrial Democracy; served as secretary of Maryland Civil Liberties Union; co-founded Christian Social Justice Fund.