Summary:
Born in Pittsburgh in 1927, Silverman moved to Louisville when her husband took a job there. Raised by liberal parents, she was politically active from a young age, volunteering at a settlement house and working with the Red Cross. She attended Wilkinsburg High School, Ohio Wesleyan University, and the University of Pittsburgh for her master's in social work. Silverman joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Louisville in 1968, shortly after the city's major demonstrations. She served on the board and later as chair from 1984 to 1986. During her time with the ACLU, she was involved in issues of racial segregation, school integration, and housing rights. She also worked with the League of Women Voters and was involved in advocating for sex education in schools. Silverman is proud of her association with the ACLU and believes the organization plays a crucial role in protecting First Amendment rights.
