Gordon, Dorothy (1889–1970)
Gordon, Dorothy (1889–1970)
American radio and tv moderator, singer and author. Name variations: Dorothy Lerner Gordon; Dorothy Lerner. Born Dorothy Lerner on April 4, 1889, in Odessa, Russia, while American parents were posted there; died May 11, 1970, New York, NY; dau. of Leo Lerner and Rosa (Schwartz) Lerner; m. Bernard Gordon (lawyer), June 28, 1910; children: 2 sons (b. 1911, 1913).
Gave performances of American traditional songs for children, which later became "Young People's Concert Hour" (1926–41); wrote Sing It Yourself (1929), All Children Listen (1942), and You and Democracy (1951); joined CBS as director of musical programs for classroom radio show, "American School of the Air" (1931), and started dramatic adaptations program, "Children's Corner," writing scripts and performing (1936); joined NBC as consultant, and hosted program "Yesterday's Children" (1940); during WWII, gave news commentaries for children on NY radio station, WQXR; moderated "New York Times Youth Forum" on WQXR (1945–60, when program was taken over by NBC and renamed "Dorothy Gordon Youth Forum"); moderated Youth Forum on Dumont television network (1952–58) and on WNBC-TV in NY (1958–70). Youth Forum won numerous awards, including George Foster Peabody Award for radio broadcasting (1959, 1964, 1966) and Emmy from National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.