Shoshana Shoubin Cardin

Shoshana S. Cardin had an expansive career as a professional, volunteer, political activist, and philanthropist. Cardin believed that true giving includes not only financial help, but also taking personal responsibility for the goals of the people and institution one supports. She exemplified this belief through active participation in making her community, country, and world a better place, challenging each of us to help in achieving those worthwhile goals. She was a tireless worker for human rights, women’s rights, education, Jewish spirituality and culture, and the state of Israel.

Cardin was born in Tel Aviv on October 10, 1926, to Sraiah and Chana Shoubin. Her family moved to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1927, seeking better medical care for her mother, who suffered a botched surgery for an ulcer. While a student at Western High, she raised money for the Jewish National Fund and served as president of the Habonim, a Zionist youth group. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1946 from UCLA and a Master’s degree in planning and administration from Antioch University in 1979.

While a full-time homemaker and mother, she was active in the Women’s Movement and building and supporting Jewish educational institutions. As Chairwoman of the Maryland Commission for Women (MCW) (1975-76 and 1979), she immediately commissioned a new logo and name, as the previous name was the Maryland Commission on the Status of Women. Cardin declared the status of women was well known; it was now time to work for women.

Cardin was instrumental in initiating the first hotline for women’s credit by working with Citicorp to create a pamphlet, “Where Credit is Due,” which explained women’s economic rights, encouraged credit counseling for women, and developed a training film for state commissioners to use. These efforts helped women learn about and exercise their right to credit in their name. Cardin appeared on national television’s “The Today Show” in the mid-70s, urging women to exercise their credit rights for purchasing cars and homes.

During her administration, the Commission worked with the Maryland Senate to revise rape legislation and convened the first state conference addressing the problems of battered women, a conference that led to the opening of the House of Ruth, a haven for victims of domestic violence.

As Chairwoman of MCW, she promoted the concept of volunteerism; she cosponsored and convened the governor’s first statewide conference, along with the Junior League, to promote the role and value of volunteerism. She then helped to form and became the first chair of the Maryland Volunteer Network, which still operates today.

This initiative, which Cardin spearheaded, remains part of the fabric of humanity. She was the first woman to become the Chair of the Board of Associated Jewish Community of Baltimore in 1983; the first female President of Council of Jewish Federations in 1984; the first female Chair of the National Council of Soviet Jewry (NCSJ) in 1988; the first female Chair of the Council of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in 1991; the first female President of The National Center for Learning and Leadership (CLAL) in 1992; and the first woman to Chair the United Israel Appeal in 1994.

She served as co-founder and Chair of the Shoshana S. Cardin School, Baltimore’s Independent Jewish High School; an honor bestowed upon her by the founding board in 2003. Among her many awards, Cardin has received six honorary degrees from several universities for her work in the Humanities.

Cardin’s courage and wisdom have brought her influence to bear on many national causes. As Chair of the NCSJ, she succeeded in convincing Mikhail Gorbachev to denounce anti-Semitism as negative anti-social behavior, a position that became a government policy. She met with President Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. Bush, Secretary of State James Baker, Prime Minister of Israel Shimon Peres, Yitzhak Rabin, Titzhak Shamir, and Ariel Sharon. She served as a Public Member of the United States delegation to the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Conference, as well as an NGO representative in numerous world conferences promoting human rights for all.

Cardin married Jerome S. Cardin in 1948. They had four children. Shoshana S. Cardin died on May 18, 2018, from respiratory failure at age 91. As a tireless fighter for the humanitarian causes she holds so dear, Cardin was one of the most influential Jewish leaders of her time. Her impact not only in Maryland but globally is immeasurable.

“The most important message I have wanted to give people has been the importance, the pride and the responsibility, the blessing of being Jewish. That’s what gives me the strength to challenge what I have challenged and bring about change where I could.” - Shoshana S. Cardin, The Baltimore Sun