Biography
Rose Pastor Stokes Born to an Orthodox Jewish family in Augustów, Russian Empire; rolled cigars in Cleveland from age eleven before her 1905 "Cinderella" marriage to millionaire socialist J.G. Phelps Stokes drew national attention. Wrote a March 1918 letter to the Kansas City Star — "No government which is for the profiteers can also be for the people" — and was indicted on three counts under the Espionage Act, convicted June 1, 1918 and sentenced to 10 years. Free on $10,000 bond pending appeal; conviction reversed by Eighth Circuit on March 9, 1920; indictment dismissed November 1921. Co-founded CPUSA in 1919.
