Background
Douglas, Helen Gahagan was born on November 25, 1900 in Boonton, New Jersey, United States. Daughter of Walter and Lillian Rose (Mussen) Gahagan.
Douglas, Helen Gahagan was born on November 25, 1900 in Boonton, New Jersey, United States. Daughter of Walter and Lillian Rose (Mussen) Gahagan.
Student Barnard College, 1920-1922. Distric(L. (honorary), Indiana State University, Terre Haute, 1974. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Marlboro (Vermont) College, 1975.
Actress, New York City, starred in plays including Young Woodley, 1925, Enchanted April, 1925, Trelawney of the Wells, 1926, Tonight or Never, 1930, Mary Queen of Scotland, 1934, First Lady, 1952. Opera concert singer, poetry reader, 1952-1962. Recorded Great American Poetry for Caedmon Records.
Singer European tour, 1928-1930, 37.
Star motion picture She, 1935. Member 79th to 81st congresses from 14th district California, member foreign affairs committee, co-author McMahon-Douglas Bill.
United States delegate United Nations General Assembly, 1946. Secretary Gahagan Dredging Corporation, 1953-1969.
Member of national advising committee World Pet Association, 1939.
Delegate of Jane Addams Peace Association to Soviet-American Women's Conference, Moscow, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics, honorary co-chairman Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, 1964. Member National Advisory Committee on Farm Labor, 1958-1972. Member of advisory council School Social Work, Columbia University, 1963-1973.
Personal representative of President Johnson with rank special ambassador to inauguration President V.S. Tubman, Liberia, 1964.
Board directors Harlem School Arts, New York City, 1967-1970, Music Therapy Center, 1969. Member of national advisory council Federation Orgns. for Professional Women, 1974.
Board sponsors Women's Lobby, Incorporated., 1973. Delegate Democratic National Convention.
Democratic National committeewoman from California, 1940.
Vice chairman Democratic State Central Committee, chairman women's division, 1941-1944. Named Woman of Year, New York Hadassah, 1945, 1 of 12 Outstanding Women of Year, National Council Negro Women, 1945. 2d Annual Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities award, Philadelphia, 1964.
Louise Waterman Wise award national womens division American Jewish Congress, 1968.
Award from women's organization Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, 1973. Honored by American Civil Liberties Union, New Jersey, 1974, (with husband) American Civil Liberties Union, Los Angeles, 1974.
Member 79th to 81st congresses from 14th district California. Member of national advising committee World Pet Association, 1939. Member National Advisory Committee on Farm Labor, 1958-1972.
Member of advisory council School Social Work, Columbia University, 1963-1973.
Member of national advisory council Federation Orgns. for Professional Women, 1974. Member National Women's Trade Union League American.
Married Melvyn Douglas, April. Children: Peter Gahagan, Mary Helen.