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Pisko, Seraphine Eppstein, 1861-1942

 Person

Biography

Seraphine Eppstein Pisko (1861-1942) was known for her charitable work in Denver, Colorado, during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and she was most likely the first Jewish woman in America to head a national Jewish organization. She was born to Max and Bertha Eppstein on January 1, 1861, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and the family moved to Denver in 1875. She married Denver businessman Edward Pisko in 1878 when she was seventeen, and the couple moved to New York. Within a few years he died, and she returned to Denver. She never remarried, but raised five children. Seraphine Pisko served as president of the Hebrew Ladies' Benevolent Society and of the Denver Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). She later became vice president of the NCJW board at the national level. She began working at National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives (NJH) as a field secretary, a fundraiser, in 1900, and in 1911 she became the executive secretary of National Jewish Hospital and served in that position until 1938 when she retired. Pisko was actively involved in both Jewish and secular social organizations, gaining national renown for her organizational strengths as well as her social efforts. She died in Denver in 1942.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Biographical Newspaper Clippings and Speech, between 1900-1942

 File
Identifier: B242.01.0001.0001
Abstract The folder include photocopies of the 1899-1900 and 1900-1901 Jewish Year Book entries for Seraphine Pisko as president of the Hebrew Ladies' Benevolent Society and president of the Jewish Relief Society, a photocopy of a Denver Times newspaper clipping about Seraphine Pisko's fundraising efforts for National Jewish Hospital (1901), a photocopy of her obituary in the Rocky Mountain News (1942), and a facsimile transcription of a speech (circa 1931) written to honor her at an anniversary...
Dates: between 1900-1942

Invitation to Dedications and Banquet, 1922 June 23

 Item
Identifier: B242.02.0001.0002.00001
Abstract Invitation to building dedications and a banquet and dance by the trustees of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives. The dedications were of the Louis D. Beaumont Home for Nurses and The Hofheimer Children's Building at the hospital, both built largely through the efforts of Seraphine Pisko. A banquet and dance was held at the Albany Hotel. Seraphine Eppstein Pisko (1861-1942) began working at National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives as a field secretary, fund raiser, in 1900. In...
Dates: 1922 June 23

Organizational Letterhead, Invitation and Program, between 1922-1942

 File
Identifier: B242.02.0001.0002
Abstract The folder contains materials created by two organizations with which Seraphine Pisko was affiliated: National Jewish Hospital and National Council of Women. Included are two pages of blank letterhead (1925) from the National Council of Women and one page of blank letterhead from National Jewish Hospital (undated), which feature Pisko's name and titles in the margins. In addition, there is a 1922 National Jewish Hospital Trustees' invitation to a dinner dance and the dedication of the Louis...
Dates: between 1922-1942

Seraphine Pisko 75th Birthday Program, 1936 January 5

 Item
Identifier: B242.02.0001.0002.00002
Abstract Program for Seraphine Pisko's seventy-fifth birthday anniversary dinner held by the board of managers of the National Jewish Hospital at Denver. The Dinner was held at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colorado. Rabbi William S. Friedman was the toastmaster and a number of people spoke on Seraphine Pisko's career. Seraphine Eppstein Pisko (1861-1942) began working at National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives as a field secretary, fund raiser, in 1900. In 1911 she became the...
Dates: 1936 January 5

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  • Subject: Social life and customs X

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Banquets 2
Charities 2
Executives 2
Hospitals -- Colorado -- Denver 2
Programs 1