Douglas, Helen Gahagan, 1900-1980
Person
Biographical:
Helen Gahagan Douglas (1900-1980) began her professional career on the Broadway stage and was deemed a "star" at age twenty-two. By the 1930s, she left the Northeast and moved to California with her husband, Hollywood actor Melvyn Douglas. Although she made only one movie herself--the science fiction film, She--she soon found herself immersed in politics. She worked with the Farm Security Administration and later was elected Democratic National Committeewoman from California. In 1944, she was elected as the representative of California's Fourteenth District in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was successfully reelected to this position in 1946 and 1948. A tireless New Deal Democrat, Douglas was a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and served as an alternate delegate to the General Assembly of the United Nations. In 1950, she opposed Richard M. Nixon in the general election for the U.S. Senate. The campaign was especially brutal with the Republicans quite "liberal" in their charges that Douglas was a communist. Nixon easily won the election. Though Douglas never entered the political fray again, she remained a tireless public speaker and activist.
Found in 511 Collections and/or Records:
Eugene V. Debs Foundation hosts award dinner with notable guests.
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_014_8.12_9_24_0024
Examining the Record: Helen Gahagan Douglas for United States Senate, 1950-09-11
Item — Box: 173, Folder: 10
Identifier: CAC_CC_014_5_173_10_0028
Overview
81st (1949-1951)
Expanding Social Security: A Commitment to Human Dignity and Security, 1950-03-08
Item — Box: 171, Folder: 3
Identifier: CAC_CC_014_5_171_3_0005
Exploring the Schomburg Collection: A Treasure Trove of African American History and Culture
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_014_2.2_23_2_0006
George C. Marshall Research Foundation hosts reception to honor Marshall Plan.
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_014_8.12_9_24_0032
Gratitude for Advocacy: A Letter to Rep Helen Gahagan Douglas
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_014_2.2_22_9_0039
Gratitude for the Arrival of 'Negro Soldier' - A Heartfelt Thank You
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_014_2.2_23_1_0043
Helen Gahagan Douglas: A Champion for Rent Control and Foreign Policy, 1949-08-18
Item — Box: 164, Folder: 33
Identifier: CAC_CC_014_5_164_33_0002
Overview
81st (1949-1951)
Helen Gahagan Douglas: A Champion for World Peace and Economic Security, 1950-03-25
Item — Box: 164, Folder: 33
Identifier: CAC_CC_014_5_164_33_0014
Overview
81st (1949-1951)
Helen Gahagan Douglas: A Leader for Progress and Peace, 1950-01-01 - 1950-12-31
Item — Box: 172, Folder: 9
Identifier: CAC_CC_014_5_172_9_0004
Overview
81st (1949-1951)