Barbara Handman

Barbara "Bobbie" Handman (born 1928,[1] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)[2] is an American political consultant and arts activist, known for her role in preserving historic Broadway theater houses. She was until recently the executive vice-president and New York City office director of People For the American Way.[3]

Handman is the wife of stage director and teacher Wynn Handman. In 1982, she helped organize Save The Theaters, an organization that tried unsuccessfully to prevent the razing of the Morosco, Helen Hayes, and Bijou Theaters. In 1988, the group succeeded in having 28 Broadway houses designated as landmarks by the New York City Board of Estimate.[4]

Handman served on the board of the Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation and on the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Commission.[5]

She was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1998 for her work as an arts advocate.

Handman's daughter Laura Handman is married to Harold M. Ickes.[2] She is a founder of People for the American Way.

References

  1. ^ Doug Struck, "The FDR Memorial's Deeper Meaning", Washington Post, May 1, 1997.
  2. ^ a b Melena Ryzik, "Nearly 60 Years and Counting, Working on the Art of Theater", The New York Times, May 20, 2007.
  3. ^ Alvin H. Reiss, "Key ally helps arts in battle over NEA", Fund Raising Management, June 1, 1992.
  4. ^ Jeremy Gerard, "Theaters as Landmarks: Who Likes the Ruling, Who Doesn't, and Why", The New York Times, March 14, 1988.
  5. ^ White House press release, Sept. 22, 1994.