Gertrude Koskoff

Gertrude Koskoff
Koskoff in 1953
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Plainville
In office
1953–1959
Serving with John A. Villardi
Preceded byCharles C. Taetsch
Clara Pratt
Succeeded byRobert P. Howard
Nora A. Powers
Personal details
BornGertrude Farber
(1911-05-30)May 30, 1911
Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedNovember 12, 1992(1992-11-12) (aged 81)
Plainville, Connecticut, U.S.
Resting placeCongregation Mishkan Israel Cemetery
PartyRepublican
SpouseMilton Koskoff
ChildrenDavid Koskoff
Harriet Koskoff

Gertrude Farber Koskoff (May 30, 1911 – November 12, 1992) was an American politician who served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1953 to 1959, representing the town of Plainville as a Republican.

Personal life

Koskoff was born Gertrude Farber in Worcester, Massachusetts, on May 30, 1911.[1][2] She was married to lawyer and politician Milton Koskoff, who represented Plainville in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1939 to 1947.[3] Together, they had two children, Harriet and David Koskoff.[4][5] She was Jewish.[1]

Career

Connecticut House of Representatives

A Republican, Koskoff was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1952 as one of two representatives from the town of Plainville. She served three terms alongside fellow Republican John A. Villardi and did not run for reelection in 1958. She and Villardi were succeeded by Robert P. Howard and Nora A. Powers in 1959.[6][7][8][9]

Koskoff in 1953

While serving in the House of Representatives, much of Koskoff's work was on prison reform and civil rights. Koskoff was recognized by the Connecticut Valley branch of the NAACP for legislation she introduced to broaden the definition of public accommodations.[10] She advocated for the prison system to provide for the treatment of mentally impaired inmates, introduced legislation to reform Connecticut's probation system, and was internationally recognized in the field of penology. She was invited to speak at the International Conference on Criminology in England in 1955.[2][11]

In July 1956, more than 200 inmates at Wethersfield State Prison staged a sit-in. In response, Governor Abraham A. Ribicoff appointed Koskoff and state Senator Joseph S. Longo to meet with the prison's board of directors to discuss prisoner grievances. The inmates had requested Koskoff's presence because of her interest in prison reform during her tenure.[6][12]

Later career

Following her service in the House of Representatives, Koskoff served on the State Board of Parole. Originally appointed by Governor John N. Dempsey in 1968,[6] she was reappointed by Governors Thomas Meskill, Ella Grasso, and William A. O'Neill. She retired in 1990, having served 22 years in the position.[2]

Death

Koskoff died of pancreatic cancer on November 12, 1992, in Plainville. She was 81. Koskoff was buried at Congregation Mishkan Israel Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut.[6][13][1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Koskoff, Gertrude F." newhaventorahcenter.org. The New Haven Jewish Cemetery Database. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "G.F. Koskoff; Spearheaded Civil Rights, Prison Reform". Hartford Courant. November 13, 1992. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Milton M. Koskoff". electionhistory.ct.gov. Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Koskoff. Milton M. "Misha" Koskoff". Hartford Courant. October 5, 1997. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Harriet Koskoff Obituary". Hartford Courant. Legacy.com. January 6, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Gertrude Farber Koskoff, Legislator, 81". The New York Times. November 14, 1992. p. 37. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Gertrude Koskoff". electionhistory.ct.gov. Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Gertrude F. Koskoff". electionhistory.ct.gov. Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  9. ↑ "City/Town of Plainville Historical Election Results". electionhistory.ct.gov. Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Gertrude Koskoff Named to Receive Corlette Award". Hartford Courant. Newspapers.com. February 14, 1954. p. 125.
  11. ↑ "In London". Hartford Courant. Newspapers.com. September 13, 1955. p. 4. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Prison Parley Slated; 2 Connecticut Legislators Will Hear Grievances Wednesday". The New York Times. July 30, 1956. p. 14. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Obituary for Gertrude (Farber) Koskoff". Hartford Courant. November 13, 1992. p. 42. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
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