Anna Moscowitz Kross (July 17, 1891 – August 27, 1979) was a Russian-American lawyer, judge, and public official.
She immigrated to the United States with her parents, Maier and Esther (Drazen) Moscowitz, when she was two years old, to avoid religious persecution.
As a judge, she continued her work advocating for alternative solutions to the problems of prostitution, as well as for domestic violence and other issues affecting women.
During her tenure she received a great deal of publicity for her outspoken criticism of government policies that discriminated against the poor.
Kross gained wide recognition for her work on behalf of youth, advocating a more judicious attitude toward social problems.
This was reflected in her insistence that prison was inappropriate for the indigent, mentally ill, sex workers, or those addicted to drugs or alcohol.
[1] As corrections commissioner, she spearheaded a prisoner plastic surgery program to reduce recidivism amongst released offenders, the Restoration of Youth through training program for young offenders, and redesigning the jail complexes with paint and furniture to promote better mental health.
The bulk of the collection dates from 1954 to the 1960s and covers primarily Kross's career as New York City Commissioner of Correction.