Thelma Alice (Moore) Harrison (1905 - 1972)

Born 17 Jul 1905 in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Wife of Ernest Joseph Harrison — married 18 Aug 1950 in Pulaski, Arkansas, United States

Died 1 Jul 1972 at age 66 in Ballwin, St. Louis, Missouri, United States

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Biography

Thelma (Moore) Harrison is Notable.

Thelma Alice Moore (later known as Thelma Alice Akana Harrison) was a notable figure due to her multifaceted achievements and contributions. As a pioneering nurse, she advocated public health and played a pivotal role in the Nurses' Association of Hawaii. Thelma's entrance into politics, becoming the first woman to be reelected to the Hawaii Territorial Senate, showcased her determination and leadership. Her dedication to healthcare, civic engagement, and advocacy for Hawaii statehood left a lasting impact on her community. Thelma's dynamic personality and commitment to her various roles make her a remarkable individual worth remembering.

Thelma Alice Moore, born on July 17, 1905, in Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii Territory, was a woman of diverse talents and accomplishments. She was the daughter of William Charles Moore and Eulalie (Liftee) Moore.^[1]

Thelma's early years were spent in Honolulu, where she lived in 1910.^[2] She attended St. Andrew's Priory School as a boarding student and displayed passion for sports, participating in swimming, basketball, and tennis. She also spent her summers at the Anglican church cottage in Kahala, enjoying the beauty of the Hawaiian landscapes.^[3]

After completing her education at St. Andrew's, Thelma pursued nursing. She first attended St. Luke's School of Nursing in San Francisco, California, before enrolling in a public health nursing program at the University of California, which she completed in December 1926. During her time at St. Andrew's, she showcased her athletic abilities in basketball and tennis, as well as her musical talents, by singing in the choir and playing the violin.^[3]

On December 4, 1927, Thelma married David Yim Kawai Akana in Honolulu, Hawaii Territory^[4], and together they had four children. Thelma's professional career began in 1927, when she briefly worked as a public health nurse on Molokai before transferring to Honolulu. Her dedication to nursing and public health prompted her to further her education at Columbia University, where she studied public health nursing, supervision, and administration from 1932 to 1933. She received a scholarship from the Hawaiian Foundation to support her studies.^[3][5]

Thelma's commitment to the nursing profession extended beyond her own career. In 1936, she was elected president of the Nurses' Association of Hawaii, a role that allowed her to advocate for the well-being of nurses and promote advancements in healthcare. Thelma held various positions on the Hawaii Territorial Board of Health, including chest clinic supervisor, field supervisor, chief of public health nursing, and administrative assistant, before resigning from the Board in 1939.^[3]

In 1940, Thelma lived on Alewa Drive in Honolulu, Hawaii Territory^[6], and continued to work as a nurse and public health administrator. However, her life took a tragic turn when her husband, David, died from a heart attack on April 16, 1943, at Queen's Hospital in Honolulu.^[7] Following his death, Thelma took over his position as the manager of a funeral home company, demonstrating her resilience and adaptability.^[3]

Thelma's involvement in civic activities and her strong convictions were evident in her efforts to oppose the imposition of martial law in Hawaii. As vice president of the Hawaiian Civic Club, she prepared a resolution in November 1941, urging the club to resist martial law. Her dedication to nursing leadership continued as she was re-elected president of the Nurses' Association in 1942, serving seven years from 1937 to 1944. During her tenure, Thelma played a key role in planning and fundraising for the Mabel Smyth Memorial Building, an office space dedicated to nurses, on January 4, 1941.^[3]

In addition to her nursing and civic work, Thelma ventured into politics. In 1944, she publicly explored the idea of campaigning to succeed her late husband in the Hawaii Territorial Senate. Eventually, she announced her candidacy in August of that year and was elected to the Territorial Senate, becoming the first woman to be reelected in the position in 1948. Thelma's dedication to public service was evident as she chaired multiple committees, including the public health committee from 1945 to 1951. She also served as chair of the rules committee, vice-chair of the education committee in 1949, and vice president of the Territorial Senate in 1947 and 1951. Thelma was a strong advocate for Hawaii statehood and testified before the United States Congress in 1947 during statehood hearings.^[3]

Thelma announced her retirement from the legislature at the end of the last Senate session in 1951. In a speech to her colleagues, she implied that her marriage to professional golfer Dutch Harrison was the reason for her decision not to seek reelection. Her retirement was met with applause from both Republican and Democratic colleagues, highlighting the respect and admiration she garnered during her political career.^[3]

In 1950, Thelma lived on Kahala Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii Territory, and owned and operated a funeral parlor.^[8] On August 18, 1950, she married Ernest Joseph Harrison, a professional golfer whom she met on a Pan Am flight to Manila earlier that year.^[9][10] Thelma's dynamic personality was often described as "volatile" in 1950, as "a brilliant, vivacious woman" and "one of Hawaii's most colorful political figures" in 1951.^[3]

Thelma's life took her beyond the borders of Hawaii, and at the time of her death, she lived in Ballwin, St. Louis County, Missouri. On July 1, 1972, Thelma Alice Moore passed away, leaving behind a legacy of nursing leadership, political activism, and dedication to her family. She was laid to rest at Bellerive Heritage Gardens in Creve Coeur, St. Louis County, Missouri, a final resting place that honors her memory and contributions.^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ Hawaii, U.S., Birth Certificates and Indexes, 1841-1944: Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Honolulu, HI, USA; Birth, Marriage, and Death Records Ancestry Record 61692 #184873
2. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaii Territory; Roll: T624_1753; Page: 26a; Enumeration District: 0030; FHL microfilm: 1375766 Ancestry Record 7884 #184783845
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8} Wikipedia Contributors. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, last edited on 9 Feb 2023. "Thelma Alice Kalaokona Moore Akana Harrison." Accessed 13 Jul 2023.
4. ↑ Hawaii, U.S., Marriage Certificates and Indexes, 1841-1944: Hawaii State Archives; Honolulu, HI, USA; Marriage Certificates and Indexes Ancestry Record 61693 #90674744
5. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaii Territory; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0072; FHL microfilm: 2342368 Ancestry Record 6224 #104128276
6. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaii; Roll: m-t0627-04588; Page: 18A; Enumeration District: 2-169 Ancestry Record 2442 #78998736
7. ↑ Hawaii, U.S., Births, Marriages, and Death Cards, 1850-1950: Hawaii State Archive; Honolulu, HI, USA; Obituaries; Series: Hawaii Births, Marriages, and Death Cards, 1850-1950 Ancestry Record 61768 #90008144
8. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaii; Roll: 6298; Sheet Number: 14; Enumeration District: 2-184 Ancestry Record 62308 #2675004
9. ↑ Pulaski County, Arkansas, Marriages 1838-1999: Pulaski County Clerk; Little Rock, Arkansas; Marriage Records Ancestry Record 61797 #90189036
10. ↑ Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Marriage Certificates; Year: 1950; Film: #11 Ancestry Record 61775 #91114575
11. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/174672129/thelma-alice_kalaokona-harrison: accessed 13 July 2023), memorial page for Thelma Alice Kalaokona Moore Harrison (17 Jul 1905–1 Jul 1972), Find A Grave: Memorial #174672129, citing Bellerive Heritage Gardens, Creve Coeur, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA; Maintained by Tami Glock (contributor 46872676).