Jennifer Meeropol is the granddaughter of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg and the daughter of RFC Founder, Robert Meeropol. Jenn became the Executive Director of the RFC on September 1, 2013. Prior posts on this page were written by Robert (unless otherwise noted), and represent his opinions, which are not necessarily shared by the RFC.
I was surprised by how disappointed I was when President Biden left office without acting on our request that he exonerate my grandmother, Ethel Roseberg. Despite keeping my expectations low and reminding myself that it was unlikely he would actually issue a statement exonerating Ethel, I got caught up in the thrill of news stories and television coverage supporting our campaign and by the surging number of petition signers and the hundreds of email message supporters sent to the Office of the Pardon Attorney.
I wish I were writing to you in very different circumstances.
These are dark times. Violent, racist, misogynistic and xenophobic rhetoric has taken hold. We’re faced with the prospect of mass deportations, an increased assault on civil liberties and equal rights, catastrophic environmental degradation, seemingly endless war-mongering abroad and ramped up repression at home, including the loss of bodily autonomy and full human rights for women, the LGBTQIA+ community and so many other vulnerable populations.
By Cleo Rohn, RFC Granting Coordinator
After awarding over $220,000 in fall grants, we ready ourselves for what comes next.
Executive Director Jenn Meeropol and her father (RFC Founder) Robert Meeropol spent time going through RFC papers and mementoes to get organized and rediscovered some real treasures, like a beautiful crocheted blanket made by a political prisoner (pictured), and the letter that reads, "You should know that the RFC is the single most influential aspect of my childhood." These items, and so many others, are an important part of our history.
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the long struggle for justice and activist parents’ ability to remain committed to their causes knowing they may not see the fruits of their sacrifice in their lifetime. The fact that it’s now been more than 70 years since my grandparents’ executions is no doubt partially responsible for this introspection.