Esther Cohen is a writer, teacher, bookdoctor, and labor activist. For many years she ran Bread and Roses, a national cultural program for workers. She started a program called UnseenAmerica and co-founded the Clara Lemlich Awards for women activists.

Her poem/photograph series with Matthew Septimus is featured at On Being. She is the author of six books, including Breakfast With Allen Ginsberg (poetry), Bookdoctor (fiction) and Don’t Mind Me and Other Jewish Lies, illustrated by Roz Chast.