Barbara Handman

Barbara "Bobbie" Handman (March 11, 1928^[1] – November 14, 2013) was an American political consultant and arts activist, known for her role in preserving historic Broadway theater houses. She was the executive vice-president and New York City office director of People for the American Way from 1981 until 2003.^[2][3]

Barbara Handman
Born	Barbara Ann Schlein (1928-03-11)March 11, 1928 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	November 14, 2013(2013-11-14) (aged 85) New York City, New York, U.S.
Other names	Bobbie
Occupation(s)	Arts activist, political consultant
Spouse	Wynn Handman ​ (m. 1950)​
Children	2

Formative years and family

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 11, 1928,^[4] Handman was the wife of stage director and teacher Wynn Handman.

Handman's daughter, Laura Handman, is married to Harold M. Ickes.^[4]

Career

In 1982, Handman helped to found Save the Theatres, an organization that tried unsuccessfully to prevent the razing of the Morosco, Helen Hayes, and Bijou Theaters.^[5][6] In 1988, the group succeeded in having twenty-eight Broadway houses designated as landmarks by the New York City Board of Estimate.^[7]

Handman served on the board of the Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation and on the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Commission.^[8]

She was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1998 for her work as an arts advocate.^[4]

Death

Handman died in New York City on November 14, 2013.^[4]