Barbara Glicksberg

Barbara Glicksberg
Seattle, WA
Seattle Chapter, Hadassah Pacific Northwest

Career and Family
I am an 88-year-old retired librarian and was born in Cleveland. I went to high school and university at UCLA, and married right after I graduated from college. We moved first to South Bend, IN, then Princeton, NJ, and finally settled down in Seattle, WA. After several years of the usual Girl Scout, PTA involvement, I went back to school, and received my master's degree in librarianship from the University of Washington. After retiring from library work, I was the volunteer librarian at the Woodland Park Zoo for 14 years. I am still using my library training to catalog all the new books for the retirement community where I live independently in my own apartment. I am also a two-time breast cancer survivor.

How did you get involved with Hadassah?
I became involved in Hadassah after I retired. I was invited to a neighbor’s condo for a current events meeting sponsored by the local Hadassah group. When my daughter heard that I had attended two of these meetings, she gifted me with an annual membership. I started going to the regular meetings and found myself on the Board and later served as Co-President. I also served in offices at the Chapter and Region level.

What is it about Hadassah that resonates with you?
I am a two-time breast cancer survivor. I first had it in 1989, and was a 26-year survivor until 2015. This was a different kind of breast cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ), which is the least serious kind, and I am now a two-year survivor of that. I have always appreciated the fact that Hadassah has been active in informing women about breast cancers and support of breast cancer programs.

As I became involved with Hadassah, I realized that the work we do at all levels is so worthwhile and deserves all the support we can provide. When I attended meetings and conventions, I heard from people whom Hadassah had helped -- so many inspiring stories. HMO doctors informed us of ground-breaking discoveries with potential for many cures. Women’s issues interested me, and Hadassah has always supported these. I decided that I would support Hadassah as much as I could. I am happy I have been able to become a member of the Society of Major Donors and the Golden Keepers of the Gate. I know that my support will help many people.

Share something you would like people to know about you.
When not cataloging books, I keep busy with genealogy, my stamp collection, reading, needlework, and word puzzles of all kinds. Besides my son, David, and daughter, Susan, I have a granddaughter and grandson. I am good at making puns, finding four leafed clovers, and I hum a lot -- all traits that I have inherited from my father!