Rose Pastor Stokes, well-known in American Socialist and Communist circles, died here of cancer. She was 54 years old.
Mrs. Stokes lived a very stormy life She was born in Russia and lived for some time in the slums of London. Later she came to the United States and worked in cigar factories in Cleveland, Ohio, where her radical career began. She joined the Socialist party and immediately become known as a fiery speaker.
In 1905, while employed on a Jewish newspaper, she met and married J. G. Phelps Stokes, New York millionaire. The marriage created a great sensation in American society.
During the 20 years in which she was married to Mr. Stokes, she participated in uncounted strikes and radical demonstrations. Many times she was arrested and jailed for her activities and during the war she was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for her opposition to the war. Execution of the sentence was delayed and she was finally pardoned by President Wilson. She was one of the founders of the American Communist Party in 1919.
Several years ago during a Communist demonstration she attempted to shield a young boy from a policeman. She was struck in the breast with a night-stick and this blow brought about the cancer from which she died.
In 1925 she divorced Mr. Stokes and later married Isaac Roman, a teacher and writer.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
