Elaine Attias

1924 - 2018

June 8, 1924 - December 4, 2018 Elaine Attias, born Elaine Grace Mitchell, was the youngest of four children of Edward D. and Anna Mitchell. She attended Reed College and the University of Chicago, where she acquired a bachelor's degree in Economics. But her life's work was in the area of the arts and in the fight for social justice. While she came from wealth, she had a remarkable ability to identify with the less fortunate in society. After university, she worked for the International Longshoremen's Union and legendary labor leader Harry Bridges. As a progressive activist in the late 1940s she campaigned for Henry Wallace. Marrying soon afterwards to Henry Attias, she had two children, whom she raised with great love and devotion. She resumed her education at UCLA where she received a graduate degree in Theater Arts and produced several documentary films, including "Italian-American," an early effort of Martin Scorsese's. She was a published journalist in several major newspapers including the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, and interviewed, among others, Indira Gandhi who at the time was the leader of India. Her social activism was the constant in her life, and she was honored to have been included on President Nixon's "enemies list" in the early 1970s. Throughout it all, Elaine was beloved by many who experienced her graciousness, generosity, humor and her large spirit. She is survived by her daughter, Jane Attias, her son, Dan (Diana) Attias, and her two grandchildren, David Attias and Rachel (Chris) Senio. Services for Elaine will be held on Sunday, December 9th at 1PM at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles.