Selma Miriam — the long-time Westporter, co-founder of Bloodroot vegetarian restaurant, ardent feminist and crusader for social justice — died Thursday at her Saugatuck home. She was 2 weeks shy of her 90th birthday.
“06880” posted a tribute to her life yesterday. Here is her obituary.
Selma was born in Bridgeport on February 25, 1935.
She graduated from Jackson College (Tufts University) in 1956, with a joint degree in psychology and biology.
Selma Miriam
She was a landscape architect, rock gardener and orchid cultivator.
A feminist political activist, she was friends with many thought leaders including poet Audre Lorde, novelist Rita Mae Brown, philosopher and theologian Mary Daley, folk singer Alix Dobkin, artist Judy Chicago, and many more.
In the 1960’s, Selma and her then-husband Abe Bunks became involved with the National Ethical Youth Organization. They hosted teenagers in their home, to discuss important issues of the day.
Selma felt privileged to be around deep-thinking teens, and they opened up to her.
She also was integral in bringing Project Concern to Westport. The program brought Black youngsters from Bridgeport into Westport schools, and changed many lives.
She was a creator of the Bloodroot collective in the late 1970s. It became the Bloodroot restaurant, which embraced seasonal vegetarianism as a feminist ideal.
Selma Miriam and Bloodroot co-founder Noel Furie. (Photo/Penny de los Santos for the Washington Post)
Bloodroot has published a half dozen cookbooks It has been covered extensively in the media, including the New York Times, Washington Post and Edible CT East. Documentaries include Bloodroot and A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot.
Selma was active in the League of Women Voters and the National Organization for Women.
Selma Miriam
Her daughter Sabrina says, “Selma was an amazing woman. She was the rarest of people: someone who lived her life authentically without compromise. Smart as hell. She figured out how to create a world that reflected what was important to her regardless of obstacles. What a role model!”
She is survived by her children, Sabrina and Carey, and longtime partner, Carolanne Curry.
A celebration of Selma’s life will be held at a date to be determined.
Selma Miriam, with her children Sabrina and Carey Bunks.
My heart goes out to her family.
A completely unique person. So warm and so tough. I feel grateful to have known Selma.
I am glad i was able to converse with her last year at her beloved restaurant. She asked how I liked the most lovely baked apple dessert and commented on my embroidered coat after I praised her woven ,naturally dyed cape she made,;a process that my partner and I so appreciate and admire as well as living close and intimately with our Mother Earth. Thank you for promoting this,Selma,via whole food,feminism, and natural fiber clothing,all of which come from our great Mother, as we are all part of her and cannot live without her. We are Earth. I’m sure you will continue on doing even greater, more wonderful things. Bless your heart for all you offered to all.
We will try from now on to capture her in words, knowing in our hearts that words will become our gift of love and trust