By Tim O’Meilia
SOUTH PALM BEACH — When the men went off to World War II, Lenore Rubinstein went to the ballpark. A reporter for Newsweek, her editors made her a sportswriter during the war.
But the male sportswriters refused to allow her in the press box, times being what they were. So she bought tickets and covered the games from the stands. She kept track of her own game statistics, since the official numbers were handed out only in the press box.
“She was among the first who cracked that glass ceiling for women,” said her longtime friend, Ann Davis. Mrs. Rubinstein died Jan. 22 at the age of 93. She had been a South Palm Beach resident for 30 years.
She is best known in Palm Beach County as a stalwart and relentless member of the League of Women Voters. She filled nearly every position during her 30 years with the League, including two two-year terms as president, when she was in her 70s and 80s. She was treasurer at the age of 88. Friends described her as a “mover and a shaker,” always positive.
“She spoke her mind and her mind was a good one,” said Davis, a colleague in the League.
Mrs. Rubinstein was born and raised in New York City and graduated from Hunter College. She later earned a master’s in education from the University of Pittsburgh.
She was fond of telling stories of her early days at Newsweek. “At first, she was running copy,” said her daughter, Judith Ahronheim. “Then they had her ride herd on Ring Lardner Jr. Her job was to drag him out of the bars,” she said of the prize-winning writer. “When he was too drunk to type his column, she typed it for him.”
Mrs. Rubinstein taught journalism at Allegheny Community College and the University of Pittsburgh and worked 30 years with the League of Women Voters in Pittsburgh before moving south.
She was active on the scholarship committee at the Gale Academy of Environmental Science and Technology at forest Hill High School.
She is survived by her daughter, a son, Peter Rubinstein, and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, Gilbert Rubinstein, in 2000.
A memorial service was held Jan. 26 at Tillman Funeral Home. Donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Community Care Association, 1651 Lake Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460.
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