THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Carol Blum

January 27, 1951 – June 4, 2013

From the Florida NOW President, “Carol demanded the best from us, and it made all of us stronger and wiser.”

Lifelong activist. Press work, managed volunteers in campaigns for Democratic candidates, 1970s. President, Broward County, FL NOW, 1970s. Press secretary, National Organization for Women, 1977. Developed public education campaigns, Equal Rights Amendment (ERA marches), 1977 and 1979. Supported first NOW Minority Women’s Conference, 1978. National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, 1979. Delegate and NOW coordinator, International Women’s Conference, Houston, 1978. Program manager, public relations coordinator, National Cambodia Crisis Committee, 1981-1982. Project and communications director, Project of Equal Education Rights, NOW Legal Defense Fund, 1982-1984. Senior program manager at The National Displaced Homemakers Network, 1984-1987. People For the American Way (PFAW), positions included Communications Director, Chief of Staff, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, 1987-2008.

Photo. People For the American Way (l to r), Kimberly Robson, Field Director; Kristen Smith, Fund-raising Director; Mary Jean Collins, National Vice-President; Carole Shields, President; Carol Blum, Vice-President; and Julie Burton, Consultant.