Hadassah Freilich Lieberman has dedicated much of her life’s work to health issues, assisting nonprofit organizations, improving educational standards, and promoting international understanding. Her focus on global women’s health issues has reinforced her belief that health diplomacy is of utmost importance; and that prevention and treatment of women’s health problems builds a natural commonality. Her international focus has included microfinance projects which are improving the social status of women as they alleviate poverty.
Most recently, Mrs. Lieberman left Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. As a global ambassador with Komen for the Cure’s Global Initiative for Breast Cancer, she worked to create sustainable breast cancer outreach and education programs around the world.
Domestically, she developed an Advisory Network for Women’s Health, promoting awareness and prevention of heart disease. She directed HFL & Associates, an independent consulting firm dedicated to expanding domestic and international awareness of non-profit organizations; developed a series of national conferences on health-related issues at APCO Associates; worked to link American business and industry to world class standards in mathematics and science at the National Research Council; launched an $11 million health care campaign for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals; developed a public affairs department at Hoffmann-La Roche; and worked as a research analyst at Lehman Brothers.
She currently is on the board of the Open University. Mrs. Lieberman also has devoted considerable time and energy to community service, which has included Best Friends, a youth development and character-building program for teenage girls; Meridian House, a nonprofit educational institution that promotes international understanding; and the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, which memorializes victims of the Holocaust. She recently completed ten years as a member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. She was a member of the U.S. delegation to the commemoration ceremonies marking the liberation of Auschwitz and has participated in international forums on environmental and socioeconomic issues in Eastern Europe. She also has chaired the annual Ambassadors Ball, sponsored by the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Hadassah Lieberman was born in Prague, Czech Republic. She left Eastern Europe in 1949, with her family and moved to Gardner, Massachusetts where she grew up. Mrs. Lieberman graduated from Boston University with a degree in government and dramatics. She received a master’s degree in international relations and American government from Northeastern University. She is married to former U.S. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman. They have four children and ten grandchildren.