Remembering Esther Coopersmith
By • March 28, 2024 One Comment 1580
Esther Coopersmith lived well into her 90s, and during her eight-plus decades of life, she collected an impressive group of friends and memorabilia too. Her home was full of treasures, like framed covers of Washingtonian Magazine featuring her, a telegram circa 1979 from the White House while President Jimmy Carter was in office, thanking the Coopersmiths (Esther’s husband, Jack, was an affluent real estate lawyer) for helping get Camp David off the ground, and multiple signed photos from presidents, diplomats and more.
Known as Washington’s most famous hostess, Coopersmith never was a diplomat, yet she had the unique ability to bring people together on a human level. She was devoted to bipartisanship and uniting people of different cultures and backgrounds.
The only official title she had was a public member of the U.S. delegation to the UN from 1979 to 1980. After that, she advised American delegates to the UN Status of Women Commission in Vienna. Coopersmith was the second woman to receive the UN Peace Prize for her efforts to unite, especially those in the Middle East.
From 1999 to 2000, Coopersmith was a UNESCO observer. She was particularly close to former first lady Hillary Clinton. Clinton paid tribute to Coopersmith Wednesday on her X account, writing:
“Esther Coopersmith dedicated her life to the role of ‘citizen diplomat,’ bringing people together in service of higher causes. Solutions to global problems started over conversations at her barbecues and buffets. She was one-of-a-kind and will be dearly missed.”
More recently, Coopersmith was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in September 2009.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) issued a statement on the passing of Coopersmith saying:
“Words seem inadequate to describe the greatness of Esther Coopersmith. For all my years in politics, I have been in awe of her, as a diplomat, a leader and an iconic figure in our society. She was always bringing people together, whether as a representative to the United Nations, or as a goodwill ambassador to UNESCO, or over dinners at her home. Visionary and effective, she will be remembered as a tireless advocate for peace in the world and a champion for women in diplomacy and in politics.
“Ambassador Coopersmith loved her family and loved her country – and she was so full of life. We all knew her as a person of great humor who always made us laugh, and she drew strength from the love of her family. Personally, I take great pride in and treasure our family connection. All who had the privilege of knowing her will agree, without any hesitation, that she was so uniquely effective, gifted and generous that we will never see her like again.
“The passing of Esther Coopersmith is a great loss to her family and all who love her, and to anyone who cares about peace in world. May it be a comfort to her children Jonathan, Connie, Jeffrey and Ronald, her dear grandchildren and the entire Coopersmith family that so many across America and around the world pray for them during this sad time.”
Esther Coopersmith was one of the most gracious, kind, and generous women I’ve ever known. Her gatherings were always filled with people she loved and who loved her. She will be sorely missed at a time when we all need the joy she brought to those who were fortunate enough to know her.