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Geri M. Joseph

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Geri M. Joseph
Joseph in 1980
55th United States Ambassador to the Netherlands
In office
September 6, 1978 – June 17, 1981
Preceded byRobert J. McCloskey
Succeeded byWilliam J. Dyess
Personal details
Born
Geraldine Mack

(1923-06-19)June 19, 1923
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedOctober 16, 2023(2023-10-16) (aged 100)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBurton M. Joseph
Children2 (1 deceased)
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
ProfessionJournalist, academic, diplomat

Geraldine Mack Joseph (June 19, 1923 – October 16, 2023) was an American journalist, academic, political figure, and diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Life and career

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Geraldine Mack[1] was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on June 19, 1923.[2] She graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota in 1946[3] and became a staff writer for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune where she worked until 1953. In 1948, she worked as a speechwriter for Hubert H. Humphrey during his successful campaign for United States Senator. In 1956, she was active in the campaign of Adlai Stevenson.[4]

From 1962 to 1963, she became a member of the National Commission on Youth Employment, and from 1962 to 1967 she served on the National Institute of Mental Health Advisory Council. She served on the National Commission on Income Maintenance Programs from 1967 to 1969. Joseph served as President of the National Mental Health Association from 1968 to 1969.[5]

Active in Democratic Party politics, Joseph served as Chairwoman of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party.[6] In 1959, she was named a member of the Democratic National Committee from Minnesota[7] and in 1968, she became Vice Chairwoman of the DNC.[8][9]

From 1972 to 1978, she was a contributing editor and columnist for the Star Tribune. In 1977, she was appointed to the U.S. Commission on Mental Health.[10][11][12]

Joseph was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands in 1978 and served until 1981.[13] From 1983 to 1993, Ambassador Joseph was a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.[14]

Joseph served as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations[15] and a member of the Carleton College Council.[16] She was also a member of the board of directors for companies, including Honeywell, Hormel, Northwestern Bell, and Northwestern National Bank.[17]

Personal life

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Her husband Burton M. Joseph was a commodities broker with whom she had three children, sons Scott and Jon and daughter Shelley Joseph Kordell.[18][19] In 2003, Joseph Kordell was shot and killed at the Hennepin County Government Center by her cousin Susan Berkovitz, with whom she was involved in a property dispute. Her attorney, Richard Hendrickson, was also wounded in the attack. Berkovitz was convicted and is serving a life sentence.[20][21][22]

Joseph died on October 16, 2023, at age 100.[23]

Awards

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Joseph received honorary doctorates from Bates College, Macalester College, and Carleton College. She was also recognized by the University of Minnesota's School of Journalism, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Humphrey Institute.[24] She and her husband were Jewish and were active in their congregation.[25][26]

References

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  1. ^ New York Times News Service, "One Women Is Giving Demo Party New Look" Archived April 21, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Miami News, September 13, 1968
  2. ^ U.S. Public Records Index, entry for Geri. M Joseph, Volume 1, 2010, accessed December 31, 2012
  3. ^ U.S. Department of State, Press Releases, Geri M. Joseph Sworn in as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands, 1978, page 305
  4. ^ Annette Atkins, Creating Minnesota: A History from the Inside Out, 2008, page 228
  5. ^ National Archives and Records Service, Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, Jimmy Carter, Nomination of Geri M. Joseph, 1978, page 1100
  6. ^ New York Times, Humphrey Opens Nine-State Drive, January 9, 1960
  7. ^ Milwaukee Journal, Democrats to Hear Minnesota Woman, January 18, 1962
  8. ^ Warren Weaver, Jr., New York Times, Humphrey Takes Control of Party, August 31, 1968
  9. ^ Jewish Women's Archive, Biography: Geri M. Joseph, jwa.org; accessed February 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Los Angeles Times, Senate Confirms Woman as Ambassador to the Netherlands, July 15, 1978
  11. ^ James P. Herzpg, Scripps-Howard Staff Writer, Carter Ambassador Choices Come Under Fire, Pittsburgh Press, November 1, 1978
  12. ^ New York Times, Editor To Be Envoy to Netherlands, June 15, 1978
  13. ^ Pioneer Press, Diplomat Encompasses the World, February 28, 1997
  14. ^ University of Rochester, Journal of Financial Economics, 1993, page 129
  15. ^ Council on Foreign Relations, Annual Report, 1995
  16. ^ Carleton College Council, Council minutes, August 17, 1991
  17. ^ Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Geri Joseph, January 8, 1995
  18. ^ Dorothy Kincaid, Milwaukee Journal, Minnesota Beauty Inspires Democrats, January 29, 1962
  19. ^ Judith Axler, New York Times, Geri Joseph Stirs Up New Battle for Democrats, September 11, 1968
  20. ^ Northern Herald, Sue Berkovitz: Why?, June 21 -- August 1, 2004
  21. ^ Art Hughes, Minnesota Public Radio, Hennepin County Moves Closer to Installing Detectors, July 28, 2004
  22. ^ Pioneer Press, Board OKs Metal Detectors in Courthouse, August 4, 2004.
  23. ^ "Geri M. Joseph". Star Tribune. October 18, 2023.
  24. ^ Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Biography, Geri M. Joseph Archived July 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, 2008
  25. ^ Associated Press, Brainerd Dispatch, Slain Woman Believed it Was Her Duty to Help Family Archived January 18, 2013, at archive.today, October 1, 2003
  26. ^ Glenn Fowler, New York Times, Leader in Struggle for the Rights of Minorities; Burton Morris Joseph, November 15, 1976

Sources

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Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to the Netherlands
1978–1981 		Succeeded by
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