Episode Details

Ida Schmertz, a quiet powerhouse behind women’s advancement, died at 91 in Manhattan, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped how we study and support women in politics and business. A co-founder of the pioneering Eagleton Institute’s Center for the American Woman and Politics in 1971, she helped fill a critical research gap during the feminist movement. She didn’t just analyze — she acted: organizing the first national conference for female state legislators, authoring “Political Woman,” and helping New York hire its first female dockworkers in 1979. Later, at American Express, she became one of the company’s first female senior vice presidents and mentored countless women in corporate leadership. Her influence stretched beyond borders, chairing a fund to help Romania transition to a market economy, and she even advocated for medical aid in dying legislation. A tireless, behind-the-scenes architect of progress, Schmertz quietly transformed institutions and lives across decades.

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