windsor was born in philadelphia, pennsylvania, to james and celia schlain, a russian jewish immigrant family of modest means. she was the youngest of three children. during her childhood, her family suffered as a result of the great depression, and her father lost both his candy-and-ice-cream store and their home above it. in school, she at times experienced anti-semitism. throughout school, she dated boys her age, but said later she recalls having crushes on girls.