BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Esther P. Gelman was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1931, and graduated cum laude from the University of Colorado in 1952 with a B.A. in English, History and Philosophy. In 1951 she married Norman I. Gelman, with whom she had two daughters.

Councilwoman Gelman began her political career in 1960 through involvement with the local Democratic party and various civic and neighborhood organizations. As correspondent for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) from 1968 to 1970, she reported on the activities of the Commission and of the Montgomery County Planning Board, and served as Commissioner of the MNCPPC from 1970 to 1974. Mrs. Gelman was elected to the Montgomery County Council in 1974, and served as both its Vice-President and President. A member of many Council committees, she sponsored legislation in such areas as comparable pay, religious leave accommodations, smoking prohibitions, and the establishment of the Community Crisis Center for abused women.

Ms. Gelman was active in the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), the Metropolitan-Washington Council of Governments (COG), and the National Association of Counties (NACo). Her many awards include the 1984 American ORT Federation's Golda Meir Award for Distinguished Education and Humanitarian Service, the Montgomery County Government Spousal Abuse Award, and the President's Award from the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, and several citations from such organizations as the Montgomery County Health Services Planning Board, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Hebrew Academy of Greater Washington. A member of many civic organizations, including the Jewish Council for the Aging and the Women's Political Caucus of Montgomery County, she was made a Life Member of Hadassah, Pioneer Women, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

In 1986, she declared her candidacy for a seat to represent Montgomery County in the U.S. House of Representatives, but was defeated in the primary.

PROVENANCE

According to notes and correspondence found in the case file, the records of Esther Gelman were transferred to the Archives from the Montgomery County Records Center.

PROCESSING NOTE

N/A.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Records of Esther Gelman comprise .5 cubic feet of material dating from 1974 to 1985 when she was a member of the Montgomery County Council. The papers consist primarily of correspondence from her constituents and other county representatives, memoranda, newsletters, studies and reports. Significant topics include the regulation of cable TV, housing and rent control, the Merit Review Commission, the establishment of a Crisis Center for the physically abused, taxes, education, and transportation. The papers have been arranged into two series:

Series I: Subject Files

Series II: Correspondence.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I: Subject Files, 1974-1984 (4 folders)

This series primarily contains correspondence, memoranda, and studies relating to specific subjects. The first folder, CATV, illustrates controversies relating to the regulation of cable TV, as well as Esther Gelman's conflicts with County Executive Charles Gilchrist. Folder 2, Housing and Rent Control, contains many letters from constituents in support of rent control. Of special significance is Folder 4, Physically Abused Haven. In it can be found documentation detailing the establishment of the Community Crisis Center.

This series is arranged alphabetically, and then chronologically within each folder.

Series II: Correspondence, 1974-1985 (8 folders)

The series consists of official and constituent correspondence, memoranda, and newsletters. Topics include taxes, busing, smoking prohibitions, appointments, rent control, licensing, the Rock Run Wastewater Treatment Plant, nuclear regulation, housing, and education. The materials are arranged chronologically.

BOX INVENTORY

Box 1

Series I: Subject Files

CATV, 1983-1984

Housing and Rent Control, 1979-1981

Merit System Review Commission, 1981-1984

Physically Abused Haven, 1975-1979

Series II: Correspondence

Dec. 4, 1974-Mar. 1, 1976

Jan. 6, 1976-Dec. 29, 1976

Jan. 19, 1977-Dec. 1, 1978

Feb. 10, 1979-Dec. 11, 1979

Jan. 1, 1980-June 18, 1981

Mar. 5, 1982-Jan. 26, 1983

Jan. 4, 1983-Dec. 29, 1983

Jan. 29, 1984-July 25, 1985