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FREEDOMWAYS                                       FOURTH QUARTER 1966
an inevitable part of life. She loved life and she loved humanity. And to all who her life touched she lent pleasure, luster and honor. In utter truth it can be said there is no one to take her place.

VIRGINIA W. EPSTEIN

MY CLOSEST association with Eslanda was as co-chairman of the Committee of Women of the National Council of American Soviet Friendship.

Muriel Draper had been the able and dedicated leader of the Committee of Women since its inception. When she died in 1952 I was asked to fill this position because I had worked very closely with her for many years. It was difficult for me to contemplate this responsibility unless I could have a co-chairman of stature, who also had the sympathetic understanding of the Council's particular aims and purposes.
I was overjoyed when Essie gave her most willing consent to our invitation to become my co-chairman- not only because of her charm, beauty, capabilities and wisdom but most of all because of her profound understanding and belief in the necessity for good relations between the United States and the Soviet Union together with her deep and abiding dedication to work for a world of Peace and Brotherhood.

From then on she always called me "Dear Co."
The work of the Council was very close to Essie's heart and even though she had many other obligations, to her family, at the U.N., and during the years they spent abroad to her own and Paul's work, she was always most cooperative and helpful with the wise counsel. She was a source of great inspiration to all of our committee women in our work. We all felt it a privilege and an honor to have Eslanda represent us, not only as co-chairman of the Committee of Women but also as a member of Board of Directors of our Council. 
Dear, dear Essie, we shall always miss you. As you would wish it, the work for Peace through Understanding and Friendship must and will go on!

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-09 16:40:11