Episode 122: Belle Moskowitz
Belle Lindner was born on October 5, 1877, in Harlem, New York City. She attended Horace Mann High School for Girls and briefly enrolled at Teachers College, Columbia University. Initially aspiring to act, she instead taught dramatics to children. Belle joined the Educational Alliance, a Jewish settlement on New York’s Lower East Side, where she organized events and later became the director of entertainment and exhibits, blending education with social work.
In 1911, after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Belle assisted affected families, wrote a child care pamphlet, and became the “commercial recreation secretary” for the Playground and Recreation Association. She later served as a grievance clerk for the Dress and Waist Manufacturers Association, supporting labor peace efforts in the garment industry.
In 1917, Belle began working with Al Smith, becoming his trusted advisor, strategist, and publicist during his campaigns for governor and president. She proposed creating a Reconstruction Commission, addressing labor, education, public health, and government reform. Her efforts were instrumental in Smith’s 1928 presidential nomination. Belle later founded Publicity Associates, a PR firm, and was the only woman on the Democratic National Committee’s executive committee during campaigns for Smith and Franklin D. Roosevelt. She also trained figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary Dawson.
Outside politics, Belle managed PR for the Empire State Building, popularizing iconic construction photos, including Lewis Hine’s works. Tragically, she died on January 2, 1933, at age 55, following an accident and subsequent embolism. Hailed as “the most powerful woman in American politics,” Belle’s influence spanned government, labor, and public relations.
Caryatid: Regina Gray
Regina is the Director of the Affordable Housing Research and Technology Division in the Office of Policy Development and Research at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development aka HUD. Her department conducts studies and provides research assistance on issues related to building codes, standards, and technologies; land use planning and housing issues related to “green” construction and energy efficiency, and so much more. Be sure to check out our Charette interview with Regina where we discuss her work and initiatives.
References
“April 21 — NY 1920s.” NY 1920s, www.ny1920.com/apr-21.
“Belle Moskowitz.” Jewish Women’s Archive, jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/moskowitz-belle.
Kovacs, Rachel. Pioneer Belle Moskowitz (1877-1933) | Institute for Public Relations. 18 Apr. 2022, instituteforpr.org/pioneer-belle-moskowitz-1877-1933.
Martino, Giovana. “A Brief History of Architecture Through Photography.” ArchDaily, 3 Sept. 2024, www.archdaily.com/987593/a-brief-history-of-architecture-through-photography?ad_medium=gallery.
Parks, New York State. “Blazing a Trail Through History With Our Interactive Timeline.” New York State Parks and Historic Sites Blog, 26 June 2024, nystateparks.blog/2024/03/15/blazing-a-trail-through-history-with-our-interactive-timeline.
WMHT Web Editor. “Belle Moskowitz.” WMHT, 17 July 2020, www.wmht.org/blogs/she-inspires/belle-moskowitz-she-inspires.
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