Zelda Kaplan, women’s rights activist and beloved nightlife darling, died Wednesday in New York City of natural causes. She was 95. A global traveler, particularly to villages in remote Africa, Ms. Kaplan educated members of the local communities on women’s equality. Founding the World Cultures Council, Ms. Kaplan focused on the concerns of female genitalContinue Reading
Zelda Kaplan, women’s rights activist and beloved nightlife darling, died Wednesday in New York City of natural causes. She was 95. A global traveler, particularly to villages in remote Africa, Ms. Kaplan educated members of the local communities on women’s equality. Founding the World Cultures Council, Ms. Kaplan focused on the concerns of female genital mutilation and inheritance rights. For over three decades she immersed herself into the tribal cultures, which influenced her exotic style and worldly views. Ms. Kaplan, born June 20th, 1916 to Russian immigrants in Flemington, New Jersey, was the eldest of four daughters. Her father was Barnet Berkowitz, a horse and cattle dealer. She studied law at Rutgers and married twice before moving to New York City in the 1960s. Ms. Kaplan, a former ballroom dance instructor and pro golfer, was enthralled by the youthfulness of the city’s nightlife. Being a regular at The Copacabana, she became close to Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. For nearly half a century she was a fixture at various art openings, fashion shows and nightclubs. An adamant supporter of education, Ms. Kaplan took it upon herself to learn all that was presented to her. Her sincere curiosity for other people made her universally loved. During her last years, she hosted Sunday night dinners where a diverse group of friends and family from around the world would gather. She truly lived every day of her life with complete happiness until her final moment. Ms. Kaplan is survived by her sisters Ruth Berkowitz of New York City, Shirley Dworkin of Hingham, Massachusetts, nieces Betsy Ann Harris of Irving, Texas, Barbara Binder of Edgartown, Massachusetts and nephews Jonathan Dworkin of Poughkeepsie, New York and Stephen Kaplan of Texas. Private funeral services were held on Sunday, February 19, 2012 under the direction of the Robert L. Ford Funeral Home, #38 Highway 31, Flemington, NJ for close friends and family. Please visit www.fordfuneralhome.com for further information or to send condolences. Photo taken by Marcos Villasenor
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