Alice J. Chapman

Alice J. Chapman Alice Chapman passed away peacefully at Danbury Hospital on Sunday, February 3, 2008. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she lived many years in New Jersey. Alice was a graduate of East Orange High School and moved to Neptune, N.J. in the 1950's where she raised her six children. In the 1960's she began her political career as a Republican County Committee Woman in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Her husband George to whom she was married for over 58 years predeceased her in 1999. In 1970 Alice relocated with her family to Danbury. There she became active in the woman's liberation movement as a member of the National Organization for Women. She served as an officer on both the state and local level. In 1975 she was one of the founders of the Danbury Woman's Center. She served as both treasurer and president and has been a member of the board since its founding. She initiated the Danbury Rape Crisis Center. From 1979 to 1985 she served in Washington, DC as National Treasurer of the National Organization for Women under two separate presidents, Eleanor Smeal and Judith Goldsmith, During that time she was influential in the selection of the first woman to run for vice president, Geraldine Ferraro. She was also president of the NOW Political Action Committee. She was a tireless worker for the passage of the Equal Rights amendment for which she campaigned for over ten years. In addition she worked to help women gain financial opportunities through her efforts with the Feminist Federal Credit Union and Woman's Employment Day. In 1999 after the death of her husband she moved to Glen Crest Independent Living Community where she became an active member of the board of the association and its president. She is survived by her five sons, Richard and his wife, Carol of Boothwyn, Pa., Peter and his wife, Maryelyn of Avon By The Sea, New Jersey, Arthur J. of Santa Monica, Calif., David F. and his wife, Joyce of Richardson, Texas, and Gregory of Simi Valley, Calif.; and a daughter, Pamela of Danbury. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at the Green Funeral Home, Main Street, Danbury on Tuesday, February 5th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.. A memorial service will be held at the Green Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 6th. At 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in her name to be sent to: Woman's Center of Greater Danbury.