Rose Nader

Who was Rose Nader?

Rose Nader was the mother of U.S. activist, consumer advocate, and frequent third-party candidate, Ralph Nader and community advocate Shafeek Nader. She was a well-known activist in her hometown of Winsted, Connecticut.

Rose Bouziane was born in Zahlé, Lebanon, to a sheep broker and a teacher. She taught high school French and Arabic, as the first woman teacher to teach outside of her hometown, before she married Nathra Nader in 1925. They immigrated to the United States, and soon settled in Winsted, Connecticut, where Nathra's Main Street bakery/restaurant/general store became a place for residents bemoaning actions or inactions at town hall. With her husband, she authored It Happened in the Kitchen: Recipes for Food and Thought ISBN 0-936758-29-5

She confronted U.S. Senator Prescott Bush in 1955, after a catastrophic flood. Bush was approached by Nader at a public gathering, and offered his hand in an obligatory fashion. Mrs. Nader continued to 'shake' his hand, all the while giving him examples of why a dam is needed, until he promised to help a dry-dam proposal move forward. Her request was fulfilled. Later, she advocated building a community center for children, forming a speakers club that would bring worldly lecturers to the town, and expanding and preserving a local health center.