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Barbara BergmannAmerican economist
Country:
 USA |
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Biography of Barbara Bergmann
Barbara Bergmann, an American economist, author, and leader in feminist economics, is known for her passion for social policy and equality. She has dedicated her career to addressing issues of discrimination based on race and gender, ranging from childcare and women's issues to poverty and social protection. Today, she is recognized as a leading advocate for progressive feminist economic ideas in organizations worldwide. Bergmann serves as a trustee for Economists for Peace and Security, an organization focused on promoting peace and security through economics. Currently, she holds the position of Honorary Professor of Economics at the University of Maryland and American University in Washington, D.C.
Early Life and Education
Barbara Bergmann was born in 1927 in the Bronx, New York City, USA. Her parents, both of whom came from Europe in 1914 to escape anti-Semitism, had Romanian and Polish roots. Despite not having completed their own education, they hoped that Barbara would fulfill their vision of the American dream by attending college. From a young age, Barbara became aware of gender inequality and was determined to become independent, which she believed required education and financial resources. During the Great Depression, Bergmann developed a strong belief in the role of government in providing resources and assistance to those facing insurmountable circumstances or lacking the means and knowledge to provide for themselves.
Bergmann excelled academically and received a scholarship to Cornell University, where she specialized in mathematics. It was during her college years that she discovered her passion for creating simple models of events that could occur (or not occur) in real economics. This passion led her to Gunnar Myrdal's book, "An American Dilemma," which focused on racial inequality in the southern United States. Myrdal's book sparked Bergmann's interest in racial discrimination, which ultimately evolved into a lifelong focus on gender discrimination.
Professional Career and Contributions
In 1948, Barbara Bergmann graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor's degree. It was a challenging time, characterized by economic downturn, discrimination against Jews, and gender segregation in the labor force, making it difficult for her to find a job that aligned with her interests. Bergmann began working for the government, securing a position at the New York branch of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, where she conducted open hearings. Within a year, she became the head of her department. Through her personal experiences with discrimination against black employees at the Bureau, Barbara witnessed the widespread nature of this issue at the time. The only African American employee in the New York office, Harvey Purdy, faced demotion and eventually lost his job when Barbara tried to promote him.
In 1959, Bergmann earned her Ph.D. from Harvard University, exhibiting an interest in computer modeling of economics. She believed that economics should be based on research and observations rather than pure theory. Through her research and accumulated experience, Dr. Bergmann developed theories and ideas regarding government policies, the implementation of observations in economics, and racial and gender equality.
During the Kennedy administration, Bergmann served as a Senior Staff Economist on the President's Council of Economic Advisers and as a Senior Economic Advisor at the Agency for International Development. She also advised the U.S. Congress Office of Budget and the Census Bureau. In addition to her government service, Bergmann has been actively involved in numerous national and international organizations dedicated to equality and progress. She has served as Chair of the American Economic Association Committee on the Status of Women in Economic Professions and President of the Eastern Economic Association, the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics, the American Association of University Professors, and the International Organization for Feminist Economics.
In 2004, Barbara Bergmann received the Carolyn Shaw Bell Award for her contribution to advancing the status of women in economics. Her successful academic career and dedication to promoting equality have made her an inspiring role model for women in the field.
