Chicago-born Gladys Dena Freeman (March 19, 1901-April 13, 1964) married Moise S. Cahn and spent most of her life in New Orleans, Louisiana. They had a daughter and a son. Gladys Freeman Cahn worked for social welfare and civil rights, both locally and nationally. She served as national president of the National Council of Jewish Women from 1949-1955. She was also affiliated with the Louisiana Civil Liberties Union, U.N.E.S.C.O., the national Urban League, the Louisiana Conference of Social Welfare, the Civilian Defense Volunteer Office, and other community welfare organizations.