Geraldine Mack Joseph (June 19, 1923 – October 16, 2023) was an American journalist, academic, political figure, and diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands.
Life and career Geraldine MackNew York Times News Service, "One Women Is Giving Demo Party New Look" , Miami News, September 13, 1968 was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on June 19, 1923.U.S. Public Records Index, entry for Geri. M Joseph, Volume 1, 2010, accessed December 31, 2012 She graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota in 1946U.S. Department of State, Press Releases, Geri M. Joseph Sworn in as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands, 1978, page 305 and became a staff writer for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune where she worked until 1953. In 1948, she worked as a speechwriter for Hubert H. Humphrey during his successful campaign for United States Senator. In 1956, she was active in the campaign of Adlai Stevenson.Annette Atkins, Creating Minnesota: A History from the Inside Out, 2008, page 228
From 1962 to 1963, she became a member of the National Commission on Youth Employment, and from 1962 to 1967 she served on the National Institute of Mental Health Advisory Council. She served on the National Commission on Income Maintenance Programs from 1967 to 1969. Joseph served as President of the National Mental Health Association from 1968 to 1969.National Archives and Records Service, Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, Jimmy Carter, Nomination of Geri M. Joseph, 1978, page 1100
Active in Democratic Party politics, Joseph served as Chairwoman of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party.New York Times, Humphrey Opens Nine-State Drive, January 9, 1960 In 1959, she was named a member of the Democratic National Committee from MinnesotaMilwaukee Journal, Democrats to Hear Minnesota Woman, January 18, 1962 and in 1968, she became Vice Chairwoman of the DNC.Warren Weaver, Jr., New York Times, Humphrey Takes Control of Party, August 31, 1968Jewish Women's Archive, Biography: Geri M. Joseph, jwa.org; accessed February 24, 2022.
From 1972 to 1978, she was a contributing editor and columnist for the Star Tribune. In 1977, she was appointed to the U.S. Commission on Mental Health.Los Angeles Times, , July 15, 1978James P. Herzpg, Scripps-Howard Staff Writer, Carter Ambassador Choices Come Under Fire, Pittsburgh Press, November 1, 1978New York Times, Editor To Be Envoy to Netherlands, June 15, 1978
Joseph was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands in 1978 and served until 1981.Pioneer Press, Diplomat Encompasses the World, February 28, 1997 From 1983 to 1993, Ambassador Joseph was a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.University of Rochester, Journal of Financial Economics, 1993, page 129
Joseph served as a member of the Council on Foreign RelationsCouncil on Foreign Relations, Annual Report, 1995 and a member of the Carleton College Council.Carleton College Council, Council minutes, August 17, 1991 She was also a member of the board of directors for companies, including Honeywell, Hormel, Northwestern Bell, and Northwestern National Bank.Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Geri Joseph, January 8, 1995
Personal life Her husband Burton M. Joseph was a commodities broker with whom she had three children, sons Scott and Jon and daughter Shelley Joseph Kordell.Dorothy Kincaid, Milwaukee Journal, Minnesota Beauty Inspires Democrats , January 29, 1962Judith Axler, New York Times, Geri Joseph Stirs Up New Battle for Democrats, September 11, 1968 In 2003, Joseph Kordell was shot and killed at the Hennepin County Government Center by her cousin Susan Berkovitz, with whom she was involved in a property dispute. Her attorney, Richard Hendrickson, was also wounded in the attack. Berkovitz was convicted and is serving a life sentence.Northern Herald, Sue Berkovitz: Why? , June 21 -- August 1, 2004Art Hughes, Minnesota Public Radio, Hennepin County Moves Closer to Installing Detectors, July 28, 2004Pioneer Press, Board OKs Metal Detectors in Courthouse, August 4, 2004.
Joseph died on October 16, 2023, at age 100.
Awards Joseph received honorary doctorates from Bates College, Macalester College, and Carleton College. She was also recognized by the University of Minnesota's School of Journalism, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Humphrey Institute.Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Biography, Geri M. Joseph , 2008 She and her husband were Jewish and were active in their congregation.Associated Press, Brainerd Dispatch, Slain Woman Believed it Was Her Duty to Help Family , October 1, 2003Glenn Fowler, New York Times, Leader in Struggle for the Rights of Minorities; Burton Morris Joseph, November 15, 1976
References
Sources Office of the Historian, U.S. department of State, Record of Appointment, Geri M. Joseph, accessed December 31, 2012