Ethel C. Phillips, 89, of Chicago, an executive with the American Jewish Committee and former aide to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, died Monday in Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital. She had lived most of her life in New York City but moved to Chicago in May 1997. Mrs. Phillips was a speechwriter for the Roosevelts and later served as an assistant to Eleanor Roosevelt when Mrs. Roosevelt was a delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. She was one of the writers of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which Mrs. Roosevelt presented to the United Nations. Mrs. Phillips wrote many books and articles on human rights. Her primary job was as director of publications for the American Jewish Committee. She served as president of the National Council of Women and was past publication director and member of board of directors of the Ethical Culture Society of New York. She also directed the New York City Adult Education Program Service for three years in the 1920s. Survivors include a son, L. James; a daughter, Anne; and two grandchildren. Services are private.
