Washington D.C. has lost a key figure in the fight for peace and women’s rights. Esther Coopersmith, known for her role in diplomacy and advocating for human equality, passed away, prompting an outpouring of remembrances from across the political landscape. President Joe Biden released a statement mourning the loss and paying tribute to her enduring legacy, as reported by the White House.
Born in Wisconsin, the child of immigrants, Coopersmith utilized her upbringing values to cultivate connections across cultural and political divides and had a hand in forming the Camp David Accords. Her efforts earned her considerable recognition, including becoming the second woman to be awarded the United Nations Peace Prize. Biden, recalling Coopersmith's influential nature, said, "She deeply understood the power of bringing people together for the common good; often, she did that literally around her dinner table," showing her personal approach to diplomacy.
Coopersmith's work spanned multiple administrations, democrat and republican, reflecting her nonpartisan commitment to progress. Her pursuit of women's rights led her to serve in roles such as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations and an advisor to the U.S. Commission to the United Nations Status of Women Commission. This past summer, she joined First Lady Jill Biden in Paris to celebrate the U.S.'s return to UNESCO, a testament to her continued involvement in advancing international collaboration and education.
The President spoke fondly of the personal support Coopersmith gave him early in his career. "When Esther believed in something – or someone – she would often go to great lengths to show her support," he recounted, acknowledging her influence on his own path in public service. Her death not only marked the passing of a respected diplomat, but also of a personal mentor and friend to Biden.
The White House statement also notes that Biden, along with his wife Jill, are keeping Coopersmith's memory and family in their thoughts, as they come to terms with the loss of a beloved member of their extended community. With four children and eight grandchildren, Coopersmith's impact spans both the professional world and her personal life, leaving a legacy rooted in the ceaseless pursuit of a more peaceful and equitable world.
