Dorothy Deemer Houghton (March 11, 1890 - March 15, 1972) was an American Republican public official and civil servant.[1]

Early life

Dorothy was born in Red Oak, Iowa and grew up in both Red Oak and Des Moines.[1] She was the daughter of Horace E. Deemer, who was a justice of the Iowa Supreme Court.[2] She met several political figures in childhood due to the connections of her father, with whom she had a good relationship.[1] She studied at Wellesley College, graduating in 1912.[1]

Career

In 1921, she became the first woman on the Iowa State Conservation Board.[3] In 1934, she served as the temporary secretary for the Iowa Republican Party.[4] She became president of the Iowa Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1935.[5] The following year, she was appointed to the State Board of Education and served on the Board of Curators for the State Historical Society of Iowa.[1]

Houghton was elected president of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) in 1950, and served as president until 1952.[5][6] She supported for the United Nations while president of the GFWC.[6] She also supported Dwight Eisenhower's presidential candidacy and campaigned across several states.[7] Following Eisenhower's election to President, she was appointed assistant director for the Mutual Security of Refugees and Migrants, acting as a goodwill ambassador.[8] She retired in 1956 and received the Nansen Medal that year in recognition of her work with refugees, presented by Eleanor Roosevelt.[9][1] She subsequently campaigned to re-elect Eisenhower and became vice president of the Electoral College.[1]

Personal life

She married Hiram Houghton and had four children, but felt a lack of "intellectual stimulation" from being a housewife.[1] After her political career, Houghton retired to Red Oak and continued to serve on various committees.[1] She moved to Iowa City in 1957 after her husband's death, where she published her memoirs, Reflections.[1] She died in 1972 aged 82 and was buried in Red Oak.[1]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Houghton, Dorothy Deemer". The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa. University of Iowa. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Joan of Arc to Be Given for Furlough Home Fund". The Des Moines Register. 14 July 1918. Retrieved 9 July 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Of Interest to Women". The Marion Star. 28 October 1921. Retrieved 9 July 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Iowa Republicans Start Des Moines Convention Trek". The Daily Times. 16 July 1934. Retrieved 9 July 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b Mason 1997, p. 1.
  6. ^ a b "Dorothy Deemer Houghton". International Presidents of the General Federation of Women's Clubs : 1890—2012. Retrieved 2017-07-09.
  7. ^ "Federation Head Authors Reference". The Valley Independent. 25 November 1957. Retrieved 9 July 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Intensive Tour". Ames Daily Tribune. 10 October 1953. Retrieved 9 July 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "NANSEN MEDAL AWARDED; Honor for Aid to Refugees Is Won by Mrs. D.D. Houghton". The New York Times. 1956-08-04. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-07-09.

Sources

External links

Authority control databases
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