Sarah Elbert, Ph.D

Sarah R. Elbert PhD, was born in New York City to Eli and Lillian Elbert, on January 5, 1936, and passed away in Ithaca, New York, on August 3, 2019. She is survived by her children, Adam Kartman, Carrie Kartman;  grandchildren, Kate Scrivens, Martina Kartman, Ben Kartman, Christopher Carpenter, Caleb Carpenter; and great-grandchildren Hailey Scrivens, and Kai Scrivens.

Sarah attended Cornell University , earning a B.A. magna cum laude in History in 1965. Her graduate work at Cornell included completing an M.A. in Teaching, and a Ph.D. in History. She taught in the Women’s Studies, Rural Sociology, and History departments at Cornell,  in History at California Polytechnic State University, and for many years at SUNY Binghamton. Her other academic achievements include a Fulbright visiting professorship in Norway, an Excellence in Teaching Award, and a visiting professorship in American Studies in Denmark. She was the author and editor of six books, numerous articles, and an expert on the life and writings of Louisa May Alcott.

Sarah was active in the civil rights movement, and traveled to Mississippi with Freedom Summer in 1964. She remained politically active throughout her life, working to end the war in Vietnam, campaigning on behalf of democratic candidates from Adlai Stevenson II, Eugene McCarthy to Bernie Sanders, and tirelessly engaging in the struggle for a better, more equitable world. Sarah’s wide-ranging interests included a commitment to wildlife and animals, environmental conservation, organic gardening, cooking, literature, film, theater, and of course history.

She loved to swim, and was a beloved member of her exercise classes. Sarah will be remembered for her i ndependent spirit , goodwill, passion and determination, depth of knowledge, and bright smile.

A memorial and celebration of her life, will be held on Sunday, August 18th, 2019 at 2:00pm, at the Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park, “Upper Shelter.” The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you consider making a donation to the American Friends Service Committee, the SPCA of Tompkins County, The American Civil Liberties Union or a wildlife or conservation organization of your choosing.