Zelda Kaplan

{{Infobox person

|name = Zelda Kaplan

|birth_name = Zelda Berkowitz

|birth_date = {{birth date|1916|6|20|mf=yes}}

|birth_place = Flemington, New Jersey, U.S.

|death_date = {{death date and age|2012|2|15|1916|6|20|mf=yes}}

|death_place = New York City, New York, U.S.

|occupation = Socialite, fashion icon, humanitarian

|spouse = Dr. Samuel Kaplan (second husband)}}

Zelda Kaplan (June 20, 1916{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/nyregion/zelda-kaplan-fixture-of-new-york-fashion-scene-dies-at-95.html|title=Zelda Kaplan, a Fixture of New York's Fashion Scene, Dies at 95|last=La Ferla|first=Ruth|date=2012-02-17|work=nytimes.com|access-date=18 February 2012}} – February 15, 2012) was a fixture in New York's art, nightclub, and fashion worlds.[http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/taxonomy/term/55/all Kaplan profile] in the New York Social Diary (online) Her trademark outfit was a matching African-print dress, handbag, and shoes, and a tall cloth hat.

She made numerous philanthropic and humanitarian efforts, frequently traveling to Africa to speak out against female genital mutilation and campaign for the right of women to inherit; in 1995 she spoke to villages in South Africa about birth control.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/19/nyregion/citypeople-the-amazing-zelda.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|work=The New York Times|first=Steve|last=Kurutz|title=CITYPEOPLE; The Amazing Zelda|date=October 19, 2003}} In regard to women's rights, she was quoted by the Village Voice as saying, "It's so important that girls not defer to the penis. I hope to let every girl know that she is somebody."[http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-09-19/nyc-life/nightlife-begins-at-90 Village Voice article quoting Kaplan on female genital mutilation]; September 19, 2006; accessed August 25, 2014.

In 2003, she was profiled in The New York Times.[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/19/nyregion/citypeople-the-amazing-zelda.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm Profile], nytimes.com; accessed August 25, 2014. Later that same year HBO premiered a documentary about Kaplan, Her Name Is Zelda, which followed her life from housewife to socialite.[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/19/nyregion/citypeople-the-amazing-zelda.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm Profile in The New York Times], October 19, 2003.[http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/york-nightlife-fixture-zelda-kaplan-dies-a-fashion-week-article-1.1023306#ixzz1mZbjX4rc New York Daily News article on Zelda Kaplan] In 2006, at the age of 90, she was profiled in The Village Voice.[http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-09-19/nyc-life/nightlife-begins-at-90 Profile in The Village Voice], September 19, 2006 Kaplan also once posed as a subject for her friend the photographer Andres Serrano.[http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/82946/1/a-manhattan-fashion-icon-is-there-until-the-end.html Profile], thenigerianvoice.com; accessed August 25, 2014.