Helen Gahagan Douglas | |
|---|---|
 Gahagan Douglas, c. 1945 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 14th district | |
| In office January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1951 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas F. Ford |
| Succeeded by | Sam Yorty |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Helen Mary Gahagan November 25, 1900 Boonton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | June 28, 1980 (aged 79) New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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| Alma mater | Barnard College |
| Occupation |
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Helen Gahagan Douglas (born Helen Mary Gahagan; November 25, 1900 – June 28, 1980) was an American actress and politician.
Gahagan Douglas's acting career included success on Broadway, as a touring opera singer, and in Hollywood films. Her portrayal of the villain in She (1935) inspired the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).
In 1944, Gahagan Douglas was first elected to the United States Congress. In the 1950 U.S. Senate election in California, she lost to Republican nominee Richard M. Nixon. The campaign became symbolic of modern political vitriol, as both Gahagan Douglas's Democratic primary opponent Manchester Boddy and Nixon referred to her as "pink right down to her underwear", suggesting Communist sympathies.