Rachel Hays Sulzberger was born in 1861 in New York City, the daughter of David Hays and Judith Piexotto Hays. Her parents were descendants of prominent American Jewish families. She graduated from the Normal College Training School (now Hunter College) and taught prior to her marriage. In 1884, Rachel Hays married Cyrus L. Sulzberger. Their children included Arthur Hays Sulzberger, who became the publisher of The New York Times.
She served as the second president of the New York section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), from 1894 to 1900. She also was vice president of the United Neighborhood Houses. She was also the first woman trustee of the Aguilar Library Association, which was later part of the New York Public Library System, as well as a member of the New York Urban League and founder and honorary director of the Jewish Working Girls Vacation Society. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well.
Rachel Hays Sulzberger died on February 10, 1938.
