Patricia "Patty" Abramson (September 7, 1944 – August 26, 2019) was an American venture capitalist who co-founded the Women's Growth Capital Fund.[1][2]

Biography

Abramson was born on September 7, 1944, in Pittsburgh but was raised in Philadelphia.[3][4] She completed her bachelor's degree at Elmira College in 1966 and acquired a master's degree in journalism from American University in 1975.[3][4]

Abramson began her career as an account executive at Abramson Himelfarb.[4] She later transitioned to the role of promotion director for the Sentinel Newspapers.[4] In 1979, she joined Hager, Sharp & Abramson, a firm in Washington, D.C., eventually leading to the foundation of Abramson Communications in 1989.[4]

In 1997, Abramson established the Women's Growth Capital Fund, a venture capital fund dedicated to investing in women-owned businesses.[5] This initiative was a response to challenges she faced in obtaining credit, even post the enactment of the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act.[4] The fund successfully attracted $8 million in venture capital in its inaugural year and achieved a designation from the U.S. Small Business Administration.[4]

Outside her business pursuits, Abramson was involved in various civic and professional organizations in Washington, including the Georgetown Day School and the Edlavitch Jewish Community Center.[4]

She was first married to David B. Abramson, which ended in divorce.[6][4] Later, she married Les Silverman, a senior partner emeritus at McKinsey & Co. Abramson is survived by two daughters from her first marriage, a stepdaughter, a sister, and five grandchildren.[6][4]

References

  1. ↑ "Patty Abramson, founder of women's venture capital fund, dies at 74 - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com.
  2. ↑ "Patty Abramson, local leader for women in business, dies at 74". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  3. 1 2 Hagerty, James R. (September 6, 2019). "Patty Abramson Set Up Venture-Capital Fund to Back Firms Run by Women" – via www.wsj.com.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Bernstein, Adam (2019-08-26). "Patty Abramson, founder of women's venture capital fund, dies at 74". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  5. ↑ Althoff, Susanne (2020). Launching While Female. Beacon Press. ISBN 9780807042977. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  6. 1 2 Cowley, Stacy (September 6, 2019). "Patty Abramson, 74, Supporter of Businesses Owned by Women, Dies" – via NYTimes.com.
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