Steimer

After arriving in Russia, Steimer was disappointed to find that anarchists were little more welcome than in the United States.

Mollie Steimer. 2009

Steimer was transferred to a prison in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she was put to work sewing garments.

Mollie Steimer. 2009

Promising to “advocate my ideal, anarchist communism, in whatever country I shall be,” Steimer started spreading propaganda for anarchist causes and on behalf of Soviet political prisoners.

Mollie Steimer. 2009

Born on November 21, 1897, in Dunaevtsy, Russia, Steimer arrived in New York City at age fifteen, along with her father, her mother Fannie Steimer, and five brothers and sisters.

Mollie Steimer. 2009

Despite such support, Steimer refused to sign a petition for amnesty or to request deportation to Russia.

Mollie Steimer. 2009

In 1940, Steimer was arrested and taken to an internment camp, while Fleshin fled to the unoccupied sector.

Mollie Steimer. 2009

Steimer and her codefendants were represented by Harry Weinberger, a well-known advocate for conscientious objectors, pacifists, and radicals.

Mollie Steimer. 2009

Jacob Abrams, Hyman Lachowsky, and Samuel Lipman were each sentenced to twenty years in prison and fined one thousand dollars, while Steimer received fifteen years and a fine of five thousand dollars.

Mollie Steimer. 2009

At the beginning of World War II, Steimer and Fleshin were living in Paris.

Mollie Steimer. 2009

Able to negotiate her release, Steimer was reunited with Fleshin in Marseilles, and the two fled to Mexico City, where they opened a photographic studio and became part of a growing group of political exiles.

Mollie Steimer. 2009