Iris Feldman Mitgang

September 2, 1937 - May 6, 2017

IN MEMORIAM

Iris F. Mitgang was born and raised in Chicago, graduated from South Shore High and the University of Chicago. She was devoted to her family: her parents, Harry and Leanore Feldman, her children, Alix, Jennifer and Steven, and her grandchildren, Matthew, Natalie, Lindsay, Olivia and Morgan. She earned her Master’s in literature at the University of Rochester, and a law degree from Kings Hall at UC Davis.

Iris was a force to be reckoned with. Talented in many areas, witty, charming, razor sharp, and possessing a wicked sense of humor, the National Chair of the National Women’s Political Caucus and family law attorney brokered deals with President Jimmy Carter and attorneys such as Melvin Belli - she earned the respect of everyone she met. Even opponents liked and respected her. She was influential in the Democratic party, starting as a volunteer for Adelai Stevenson, developed new coalitions, and won party adoption of platform minority planks supporting the Equal Rights Amendment and budget support for abortion access. She helped women such as Barbara Boxer get elected, and Geraldine Ferraro be nominated for vice president, and was instrumental in getting women appointed to the judiciary, including to the US Supreme Court.

Iris loved to travel, to paint and draw, enjoyed the beauty of the ocean and adored the hills of California, the subject of many of her paintings.

Iris’ career and role shaping the world and obtaining more and better opportunities for women, her beginning career writing and illustrating children’s books, was abruptly cut short when a car struck her as she walked across a quiet street to her parked car. After surviving a coma, she lived the next 20 years with a brain injury and 24 hour care.

She watched, glued to the television, the first major party woman candidate for President of the United States address the nation from her wheelchair in her home.

She was the best friend anyone could have. A mentor. Funny and fun. Iris Feldman Mitgang died in her home on May 6, 2017.

Contributions in her honor may be made to the Iris Feldman Mitgang Internship with the National Women’s Law Center in Washington DC, nwlc.org/iris