Anita Cohn Block

Anita C. Block ran as a Socialist for the New York State Assembly in 1918 for the 20th District. The New York Times described her presence at a campaign debate, where she "received the greatest applause" and spoke on the rise of Socialism in Austria. Anita Cohn was born in 1883 in New York. Her parents were Herman and Henrietta Cohn (Cahn). Herman had immigrated from Germany. Anita was heavily involved in the Socialist Party in New York, particularly in the capacity of women's suffrage and labor. In 1910, The New York Times reported on her speech at the Collectivist Society at Kalil's restaurant, where she remarked on the progress of the suffrage movement. She was also involved in the 1915 May Day Rally in Union Square. Apart from her political activities, Anita also wrote the "Women's Sphere" section for the New York Call, in which she commented on the Sanger Case, as well as other women's rights issues. Anita was also an avid theater-goer, and she saw one of the first American productions of Frank Wedekind's "Spring Awakening."