Skip to main content

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 41 Collections and/or Records:

National Jewish Hospital Records

 Collection
Identifier: B005
Abstract In 1899, the Jewish community erected the non-sectarian National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives (NJH), the first sanatorium in Denver, Colorado, for tuberculosis victims. With the financial assistance of the International B'nai B'rith fraternal organization, patients from all over the U.S. were admitted free of charge. The NJH adopted a program that emphasized the benefits of fresh air, proper nutrition, and rest. The hospital was founded by a group of Jewish residents of Denver who were...
Dates: 1892-2017

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

Pisko and Grabfelder Correspondence, 1916 January-June

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0001.0013
Abstract

Correspondence related to Samuel Grabfelder, President of NJH, and Seraphine Pisko, Secretary of NJH

Dates: 1916 January-June

Pisko Correspondence, 1915 January-June

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0001.0010
Abstract

Correspondence related to Seraphine Pisko, Secretary of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives

Dates: 1915 January-June

Pisko Correspondence, 1911-1915

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0001.0011
Abstract

Correspondence related to Seraphine Pisko, Secretary of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives, taken from alphabetical file.

Dates: 1911-1915

Pisko Correspondence, 1915 July-December

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0001.0012
Abstract

Correspondence related to Seraphine Pisko, Secretary of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives

Dates: 1915 July-December

Publicity Releases, 1923-1924

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0002.0006
Abstract

publicity releases related to the Pisko file

Dates: 1923-1924

Seraphine Pisko, c. 1930

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0011.00001
Abstract Seraphine Eppstein Pisko sits at a desk at National Jewish Hospital (NJH). She served as the president of the Hebrew Ladies' Benevolent Society (renamed the Jewish Relief Society in 1901) and as president of the Denver Council of Jewish Women. She also helped organize the Denver Jewish Settlement House and a free kindergarten to benefit the Eastern European Jewish immigrants on Denver's west side. Pisko became a fund-raiser for the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives, and in 1911 she...
Dates: c. 1930

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

Seraphine Pisko and Nathan Dauby Correspondence, 1922 July-December

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0002.0012
Abstract

Correspondence related to Nathan Dauby and Seraphine Pisko

Dates: 1922 July-December

Filtered By

  • Subject: Tuberculosis X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 40
Collection 1
 
Subject
Tuberculosis 40
Colorado 39
Jews 34
Medicine 32
Medical centers 30