I Am Woman
By Jill Duff-Hoppes
Judith “Judy” Kaplan was a force to be reckoned with during her lifetime. This super achiever was an entrepreneur, women’s rights activist, artist, philanthropist, and author. When Judith passed away at age 85 at her home in Altamonte Springs in May 2024, she left behind a legacy that is both educational and inspirational.
Judith Kaplan was also an artist and a member of Women’s Caucus for Art.
Key pieces of that legacy are currently being exhibited at the Women’s History & Cultural Center at Girl Scouts of Citrus in Orlando. The exhibit is titled The Art of Making Change: Judith Kaplan: Activist & Artist. Its timing couldn’t be more fitting, because March is Women’s History Month.
On display are many of Judith’s paintings, plus another of her crowning achievements – a collection of 185 first day covers (FDCs) that she created, called the Women’s History Series. An FDC (also known as a first day of issue) is an envelope, cover, or postcard featuring a postage stamp that has been postmarked on its first official day of release. Judith’s impressive collection recognizes important women in American history with stamps accompanied by images of the women and short biographies about each one, which Judith meticulously researched and wrote
Her efforts to recognize women who contributed to our nation’s history didn’t end there. She also successfully lobbied the United States Postal Service to celebrate more women with commemorative postage stamps.
In addition to the exhibit at the Women’s History & Cultural Center, a copy of Judith’s FDC collection is housed at the University of Central Florida’s John C. Hitt Library. Also, her collection was initially used by the National Organization for Women (NOW) as a fundraiser for the New York chapter of the organization.
An example of Judith’s FDC Women’s History Series features Helen Keller, a disability rights advocate, author, lecturer, and political activist.
Hear her roar
Born in New York in July 1938, Judith earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hunter College. She was a member and supporter of many women’s organizations, including NOW, Veteran Feminists of America, National Women’s History Alliance, and National Women’s History Museum.
Warren and Judith Kaplan of Altamonte Springs, who both passed away in 2024, were ardent supporters of the women’s rights movement.
Later in life, Judith began painting as a hobby and created an award-winning series of abstract work called Chaos. A member of Women’s Caucus for Art, Judith’s paintings were featured at the Maitland Art Center and local galleries. Judith and her husband, Warren, had two children: Ronald Kaplan, who lives in Maitland; and Dr. Elissa Kaplan, who resides in New York; as well as four grandchildren. Warren, who passed away in December 2024 at the age of 87, was Judith’s biggest fan.
“Judy was a very strong feminist going back to the 1960s, and I always championed whatever she did,” said Warren in an interview not long before his death. “And her artwork was outstanding.”
Appropriately enough, Judith’s family says one of her favorite songs was the Helen Reddy feminist anthem, “I Am Woman.” With lyrics such as, “I am woman, hear me roar in numbers too big to ignore,” the song sounds as if it could have been written for Judith, herself.
To learn more about Judith and her legacy, visit the display of her work at the Women’s History & Cultural Center at Girl Scouts of Citrus, 341 North Mills Avenue in Orlando. The center is open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and on select Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Judith’s artwork and FDC collection will be on display through April. For more information, email director Lydia Sealey at LSealey@Citrus-GS.org.