Born: 1904 (Poland)
Died: 1981
Biography:
Rhea Clyman (originally spelled Kleiman; July 4, 1904–1981) was a Polish-born Canadian journalist who traveled to the Soviet Union and reported on the devastating Holodomor. Her daring investigative reporting and firsthand accounts shed light on the tragic famine and its toll on the Ukrainian people. Clyman’s fearless pursuit of truth and justice made her a prominent figure in the field of journalism and a champion for humanitarian causes.
Rhea Clyman was born on July 4, 1904, in Poland, to a Jewish family. Her parents, Solomon and Anna Kleiman, relocated the family to Canada in 1906, settling in Toronto, Ontario. However, tragedy struck Clyman at a young age when she was involved in a severe accident. Around the age of five or six, she was hit by a streetcar, resulting in the amputation of one of her legs and numerous hospital stays. Despite the challenges she faced, Clyman overcame her physical limitations and displayed remarkable resilience and determination.
After her father’s passing, Clyman was forced to leave school early to work in a factory and contribute to her family’s financial stability. Her early experiences shaped her character and instilled in her a strong work ethic. As a young woman, she ventured to New York before eventually settling in London. In this city, she found opportunities to immerse herself in the field of journalism, working as a researcher for renowned New York Times reporter Walter Duranty.
In 1928, at the age of 24, Clyman embarked on a life-changing journey to the Soviet Union. She set out with the intention of reporting on the purported reforms implemented by the Soviet regime. Little did she know that her experiences would expose the harsh realities and suffering endured by the Soviet population. Clyman’s observations compelled her to write for various newspapers, including the Toronto Telegram and the London Daily Express, where she revealed the atrocities she witnessed during her time in the Soviet Union.
During her travels, Clyman ventured to the far north labor camps and embarked on a car journey to Soviet Georgia alongside two women from Atlanta. It was during this journey that they encountered starving Ukrainian peasants in Kharkiv, providing Clyman with a firsthand glimpse into the famine’s devastating effects. However, her exposés on the famine and the Soviet regime attracted attention, ultimately leading to her arrest in Tbilisi, Georgia. The charges against her included reporting false news about the USSR, resulting in her expulsion from the country.
From 1933 to 1938, Clyman continued her journalistic endeavors in Nazi Germany, reporting for the London Daily Telegraph. Her fearless spirit and dedication to reporting the truth compelled her to cover the intensifying repression against Jews in Germany. However, as reprisals against Jews grew, Clyman was compelled to leave the country urgently. Tragically, the plane she was traveling on crash-landed in Amsterdam, leaving her injured but alive.
Following her recovery, Clyman relocated to Montreal, where she worked as a correspondent for the London Daily Express from 1938 to 1941. During this time, she continued to shed light on important issues and provide a voice to the oppressed. Eventually, she settled in New York, where she led a more private life until her passing in 1981. Throughout her career, Clyman remained steadfast in her pursuit of truth and justice, leaving an indelible mark on the field of journalism.
Although Rhea Clyman never married or had children, her legacy lives on through the various mediums that have sought to honor her remarkable life. She was portrayed by actress Beata Pozniak in the 2019 feature film Mr. Jones, which focused on the story of Gareth Jones. Additionally, the 2018 documentary Hunger for Truth: The Rhea Clyman Story serves as a testament to her courage and dedication to journalism. Clyman’s contributions to the field continue to inspire and inform new generations of journalists, making her an integral part of women’s history.