Hedy Ratner
Hedy Ratner was born in Chicago in 1941 to Polish and Belarusian immigrants. She grew up in Chicago and received a Jewish education at the Beth Eliezer Shul. Hedy eventually attended nine colleges and received six degrees in sociology, education, library science, and folklore. After growing up amid the Civil Rights movement and the anti-war movement, she discovered her passion for activism. Hedy became an advocate for women's issues, founding and leading the Women's Business Development Center, based in Chicago, which has advised nationwide companies and developing countries on the success of women-owned businesses. President Bill Clinton appointed Hedy to the National Women's Business Council. She was also involved with the Illinois Women's Business Ownership Council, which she helped create. Hedy has served on various economic and feminist initiatives based in Chicago, including the Women's Health Task Force and the Governor’s Economic Advisory Council. In 2007, the Jewish Women's Archived recognized Hedy at the Women Who Dared event.
Hedy talks about her childhood in Chicago as the child of immigrants from Eastern Europe. She received a Jewish education at the Beth Eliezer shul but wasn't bat mitzvahed because she was kicked out of Hebrew school after a conflict with the rabbi. Hedy recounts her experience attending Camp Maccabee, a formative experience that shaped her affection for Judaism. She describes her contentious and close relationship with her mother, who was unhappy with Hedy’s choice to drop out of college and get married at eighteen. That marriage lasted only three years, and Hedy eventually returned to school, attending nine different institutions and earning six degrees. She relates her experiences of traveling through her work at the State Department and shares an anecdote about encountering and comprehending the tragedy of the annihilation of Jews in Belarus. Hedy talks about discovering her passion for social justice after growing up in an interracial community amid the Civil Rights Movement. She eventually became active in the women's liberation movement through local Chicago organizations. Hedy started the Ilinois Women's Political Caucus, was involved with the National Organization for Women and helped start the Midwest Women's Center. She describes how her commitment to social justice grew out of Jewish traditions. Hedy talks about the Women's Business Development Center, which she founded along with her co-president Carol Dougal. In her view, business ownership is an avenue to empower women and minorities and ultimately change the world. She critiques the “White male power structure” that shapes the world of politics and business. She points out businesses she believes are breaking the mold and challenging the status quo, such as Eileen Fisher and Ben & Jerry's. Hedy reflects on how discrimination and antisemitism have impacted her life, especially concerning her employment. To fight antisemitism, she advocates being supportive of Israel and being supportive of education around oppression and discrimination. Hedy tells the story of being bat mitzvahed at age 60 in a diverse and inclusive ceremony and discusses how her relationship with Judaism has evolved over the years. She names two of her friends and role models, Aaron Freedman and Willie Barrow. Hedy also talks about her partner of thirty-six years, Mort Kaplan, and his support and encouragement of her. Finally, she emphasizes her commitment to activism and social justice.
