Esther Saperstein

Esther Richman Saperstein (October 22, 1901 – May 17, 1988) was an American legislator, women's rights advocate and mental health activist.

Esther Saperstein
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
Personal details
Political party	Democratic

Saperstein was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Jewish immigrants, Ellis Richman from Russia and Mary Dresser from Poland.^[1] Saperstein went to Chicago public schools and Northwestern University. Saperstein was active in the Parent-Teacher Association. In 1955, Saperstein ran for the Chicago City Council and lost the election. Saperstein was a Democrat. In 1957, Saperstein served in the Illinois House of Representatives and served until 1967. Saperstein then served in the Illinois State Senate from 1967 until 1975 when she resigned from the Illinois General Assembly. In 1975, Saperstein was elected to the Chicago City Council and served until 1979. Saperstein died at her home in Chicago, Illinois.^[2][3]

Notes

1. Women building Chicago 1790-1990 : a biographical dictionary. Schultz, Rima Lunin, 1943-, Hast, Adele., Paul Avrich Collection (Library of Congress). Bloomington: Indiana University Press. 2001. p. 778. ISBN 0253338522. OCLC 44573291.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
2. 'Illinois Blue Book 1973-1974,' Biographical Sketch of Esther Saperstein, pg. 76
3. 'Esther Saperstein, 86, pioneer woman senator,' Chicago Tribune, May 18, 1988, section 2, pg. 10

Further reading

• S.v. "Saperstein, Esther Richman" in Schultz, Rima Lunin and Adele Hast, eds., Women Building Chicago 1790 - 1990: a Biographical Dictionary (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2001, pp. 778–80.