Description
Kathleen Burke Hale was one of Santa Barbara's most distinguished citizens. The most decorated woman of World War I, Burke
received awards and medals from seven European nations. As a volunteer Red Cross worker during World War I she helped organize
emergency hospitals in war zones and created a climate of high morale among both soldiers and military officials. Burke repeated
her feat in the wake of World War II when she and her husband, artist Girard Hale, adopted and coordinated reconstruction
of the French village of Maillé, which had been leveled by the Nazis following their massacre of its inhabitants. In both
word and image, this collection documents Kathleen Burke Hale's life as a humanitarian, philanthropist, and world traveler
during the first half of the 20th century and across two world wars.
Background
Born in London, England, and of Irish descent, Kathleen Burke Peabody Hale (1884-1958) was educated at the University of Oxford
and in Paris. Outliving three American husbands, Burke devoted her life to humanitarian causes during war and peace, in Europe
and in Santa Barbara.
Restrictions
Property rights reside with the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact
the Head Archivist of the Gledhill Library.
Availability
Collection is open for research.