Dorothy D. Houghton

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

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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]

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References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "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. 1 2 Mason 1997, p. 1.
  6. 1 2 "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.

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