Barbara Meislin

Barbara Meislin (known as the Purple Lady of Tiburon) is an American author and singer, known in the town of Tiburon, California, for her devotion to things colored purple.

Biography

Meislin was born to a single mother in Newark, New Jersey, in approximately 1936.[1] She trained as a teacher at Hunter College, taught high school and adult education French and Spanish in Tiburon. After learning guitar as an adult she became an "accomplished" singer,[2][3] taught the instrument at Dominican College, had a radio show on KQED playing French music, and played local restaurants, singing in French, Hebrew, and English.[4] She divorced her husband, Jerry Meislin, on amicable terms in 1982.[4]

In October 2009, the large purple house where she had lived for 43 years, a local landmark, burned down.[2]

Career

She wrote and self-published the book, No One Can Ever Steal Your Rainbow, as well as a song by that name, on the occasion of the death of her daughter, Lori, from a rare childhood virus.[2] The title was taken from a comment by her rabbi, who was consoling her after her purple mailbox was stolen (it was later returned).[4] The book was later adapted as a ballet that premiered at the Marin Dance Theater.[3]

Charitable work

Meislin is also known for her charitable work. She has supported the construction of a hospice library,[2] a "Purple Playground of Friendship" for both Jewish and Palestinian children in Neve Shalom / Wahat al-Salam near Latrun, Israel,[3][5] a "Positively Purple for the Breast Cancer" fashion show and fundraiser,[6] She also donated a gazebo for a local park.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Alexandra J. Wall (2004-12-10). "Tiburon's Purple Lady pens a children's book of many colors". Jewish News Weekly of Northern California.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Peter Fimrite (2009-10-21). "Tiburon fire destroyed Purple Lady's home". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 Jim Wood (May 2007). "The Color Purple: Tiburon's Barbara Meislin finds inspiration in a favorite hue". Marin Living. Archived from the original on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Beth Ashley (2005-09-07). "Purple Lady hopes book is your rainbow". Marin Independent Journal.
  5. ↑ Aleza Goldsmith (2000-06-23). "Holy Land rainbow park gives 'Purple Lady' hope". Jewish News Weekly of Northern California.
  6. ↑ Suzanne Weiss (1996-11-01). "'Purple lady' works to create more 'joy in a troubled world'". Jewish News Weekly of Northern California.
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