Grant, Frances R.

Human rights activist, cultural ambassador, curator and journalist; born Frances Ruth Grant in 1896 in Abiquiu, New Mexico Territory, a pueblo at which her father, a German-Jewish immigrant, ran a general store and where she learned both Spanish and English at an early age; commuted between New Mexico and New York City while she was growing up; was graduated from Barnard College and from the Columbia University School of Journalism; also studied music privately; served as associate editor of Musical America from 1918 to 1921 and also worked as a writer for several other publications, an occupation that she would resume for a time in the 1940s when she edited several trade magazines; beginning in 1921, and continuing through 1937, held various responsibilities at three cultural organizations in New York City sponsored by the artist and philosopher Nicholas Roerich, including the Roerich Museum which she served as vice-president and trustee; founded, in 1931, and served, for more than 50 years (always as its president), the Pan-American Women's Association (originally the Pan-American Women's Society of the Roerich Museum), a volunteer, non-political educational and cultural organization which was a reflection of the Pan-American movement and which focused over the years on sponsoring cultural exchanges (especially educational events in the United States by Latin American cultural figures and, later, democratic leaders), establishing ties between the women of the Americas, promoting human rights in the western hemisphere and pursuing a variety of self-help efforts in Latin America; in the 1940s (and to a lesser extent through the 1970s), participated in activities of the International League for the Rights of Man (later the International League for Human Rights), including service as its secretary, vice-president and head of the Latin American Committee; in 1945 attempted unsuccessfully to found a cultural magazine for a Latin American audience that would encapsulate North American life and thought; served for over three decades as secretary-general of the Inter-American Association for Democracy and Freedom (organized in 1950) which sought, in part, to fight totalitarianism in the Americas, to support progressive reforms effected by constitutional methods, to expose and protest violations of civil and political liberties and to assist democratic political prisoners and exiles; continued to travel and write after the 1985 loss of inexpensive office space in New York City (at Freedom House's 40th Street building) effectively brought an end to the Pan-American Women's Association and the Inter-American Association for Democracy and Freedom; died in 1993.

From the description of Frances Grant collection, 1897-1986 (bulk 1917-1986). (Rutgers University). WorldCat record id: 70265028

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