Anna Elkan Meltzer (1896-1975)

She was born on the Lower East Side of New York City to Russian immigrant parents, Rudolph (Joseph) and Sarah Elkan. Her father was employed in a dry goods store shortly after her birth, and was described as being employed in "real estate" in 1920.

Meltzer's mother directed her to academics and music, but a high school teacher encouraged Meltzer's art work. Meltzer wrote, "I lost no time trying to enroll in the Cooper Union Art School. Miss Reynolds, the principal, informed me that I was under age for admission requirements. With some persuasion she promised to show my drawings to the dean. He passed on them favorable and an exception was made. I was admitted and within t...