Bernstein, Sylvia (1915–2003)

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Bernstein, Sylvia (1915–2003)

American civil-rights activist. Born Nov 6, 1915, in Washington, DC; died Nov 23, 2003, in Washington, DC; dau. of Russian immigrants; m. Albert Bernstein (union activist, died Feb 2003); children: Carl Bernstein (Watergate reporter for Washington Post).

With husband, was a member of the Communist Party (1940s) and a target of government scrutiny; fought to desegregate Washington, DC (1950s); also advocated home rule for the city, and protested the Vietnam war and the development of nuclear weapons.

See also Carl Bernstein Loyalties (1989).