Patty Abramson

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]