the institution from financial collapse, renovated its landmark building, and recalled its collections from various warehouses. In November 2000, she opened the Henry Luce III Center for the Study of American Culture. She instituted exhibitions, education and public programs for a diverse and ever-increasing audience, leaving the society with a $33 million endowment. Gotbaum resigned from the Historical Society to run for the Office of the Public Advocate. 2001 Race for Public Advocate In 2001, Gotbaum finished first in the Democratic primary and then defeated Norman Siegel in the Democratic runoff. She was unopposed in the general election. As Public Advocate she focused on education policy, along with women's issues, child welfare, affordable housing and senior services. She was known to work with Mayor Michael Bloomberg on certain issues, but she battled Bloomberg on mayoral succession issues. In return, Bloomberg sought to eliminate the office altogether in 2002 and reduced its budget. At the request of the New York State Legislature, Gotbaum created a Commission on School Governance to examine mayoral control before it expires in 2009. 2005 Race for Public Advocate In the September 13, 2005 Democratic primary, Gotbaum beat civil rights advocate Norman Siegel, and real estate broker Michael Brown came in third with fifteen percent of NYC's vote. She was unopposed in the general election. She took the oath of office for a second term on January 1, 2006. 2009 Race for Public Advocate Despite the extension of New York City term limits, which made Gotbaum eligible for a third term, she decided not to run for reelection. Personal life Her second husband, Victor Gotbaum (1921–2015) was a retired New York City labor leader who served for 22 years as president of AFSCME District Council 37, New York's largest public employee union. She has a daughter, Barr Hogen, from her first marriage (from 1960 to 1967) to Timothy Hogen. Gotbaum married investment banker Peter A. Lewis in 2017. On September 28, 2007, her stepdaughter-in-law, Carol Gotbaum, died in custody shortly after she was arrested at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, after getting into a confrontation with gate crews who refused to allow her to board a plane to Tucson. In May 2008, the family filed a lawsuit against the City of Phoenix. References |- 1938 births Barnard College alumni Brearley School alumni Connecticut College alumni George Washington University alumni Living people New York (state) Democrats New York