Belle Moskowitz

Born in New York City, Belle Linder Moskowitz attended Horace Mann School and Teachers College. Trained as a dramatic reader, a type of theatrical performance popular at the time, Moskowitz began working for the Educational Alliance, an immigrant aid organization, in 1900. Having entered politics through her social work, Moskowitz became involved with the New York State Democratic Party, eventually helping to elect governor Al Smith in 1918. Moskowitz remained Smith’s close confidant and publicist until her death, exerting significant influence on the governor’s administration and policy decisions, many of which would later serve as the basis for Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal programs.