Susan Lowenberg, an out lesbian, has received a presidential appointment to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, the governing body of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., the White House announced Tuesday.

Lowenberg is the daughter of the late William J. Lowenberg, a holocaust survivor who was instrumental in the creation of the Museum.  She currently serves on boards of directors of the American Jewish World Service, the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Holocaust Memorial Education Fund, and serves on the advisory board of the Horizons Foundation.

“My father dedicated many years of his life to the creation of this great museum. As a survivor, the day the museum opened in April 1993 was one of the greatest days of his life. I am honored and proud to be able to carry on where he left off,” Lowenberg said.

Lowenberg’s appointment was strongly supported by the Presidential Appointments Project, a joint program of the Victory Institute and 20 other national LGBT groups that seeks to grow the number of openly LGBT Americans serving in appointed positions in presidential administrations.

“As a child of a Holocaust survivor, Susan is committed to preserving Holocaust history.  She is uniquely qualified to help govern one of our country’s most important institutions dedicated to inspiring citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute.

Lowenberg lives in San Francisco with her spouse, Joyce Newstat, and their daughter Ruthie.

Tags: Susan Lowenberg, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council

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