May, Elizabeth Eckhardt, 1899-

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Educator, administrator, writer and researcher; held appointments at West Virginia University, Executive Secretary of the White House Conference on Children in Democracy; joined the University of Connecticut faculty in 1952 as Dean of the School of Home Economics and served at the University until retirement in 1964; died in 1996.

From the description of Elizabeth E. May papers, 1901-1996. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 53278674

Elizabeth Eckhardt May, a former University of Connecticut dean, was born on 18 February 1899 in Folsom, NJ . She earned her first degree from Trenton State Normal School in Trenton, NJ . She received a Bachelor of Science, Masters of Arts, and her Doctoral Degree in Education from Columbia University . Along with these, Dr. May also received her Professional degree from the Columbia University Teachers College, specializing in Adult Education.

As a noted educator, administrator, writer and researcher, Dr. May began her career with the West Virginia University Agricultural Extension Service. She began, there, as a County Home Demonstration Agent and worked her way up through District Agent to State Specialist in Community Organization. During her tenure at West Virginia University, Dr. May became the Executive Secretary of Oglebay Institute and also was in charge of the programs run at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, WV .

Her career continued on with her appointment as Executive Secretary of the White House Conference on Children in Democracy. Following this service, she taught at both the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan . In 1943, Dr. May was named Academic Dean and Dean of Faculty at Hood College in Frederick, MD . Dr. May joined the faculty of the University of Connecticut in 1952 as Dean of the School of Home Economics. She retired from the University in 1964.

Along with her work as Dean, Dr. May pioneered and directed a project focusing on rehabilitation of the handicapped. Her focus broadened with research in independent living for the handicapped and the elderly. In conjunction with other professors from the University of Connecticut, she conducted an International Exhibit about rehabilitation for the handicapped. Her sabbatical study entailed traveling Europe and researching European methods of rehabilitation of the handicapped. She served as a member on the President's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped.

After her retirement from the University of Connecticut, Dr. May published two books, with her co-authors, Neva Waggoner and Eleanor Hotte, entitled Homemaking for the Handicapped (1966) and Independent Living for the Handicapped and the Elderly (1974). She continued to work in the field of rehabilitation as a consultant and a lecturer.

Elizabeth Eckhardt was married to a noted New York architect, Charles C. May. They had one child, Margaret May Kessel . Dr. May has been honored with a number of awards for her scholarly work and service. Elizabeth May died in 1996.

From the guide to the Elizabeth E. May Papers, undated, 1901-1996, (Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn University of Connecticut, President's Office Records [Homer D. Babbidge, 1962-1972], undated, 1962-1972. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
creatorOf Handicapped Homemaker Project. Handicapped Homemaker Project records, 1954-1972. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
creatorOf Hood College. Letters, 1945-1952 : to Lewis Mumford. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Handicapped Homemaker Project Records., undated, 1954-1972. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
referencedIn Papers, 1922-1973 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn University of Connecticut, President's Office Records [Albert N. Jorgensen, 1935-1962], undated, 1935-1962. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
creatorOf Elizabeth E. May Papers, undated, 1901-1996 Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
creatorOf May, Elizabeth Eckhardt, 1899-. Elizabeth E. May papers, 1901-1996. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
referencedIn Elizabeth E. May Papers, undated, 1901-1996 Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith American Public Welfare Association corporateBody
associatedWith Braddock Heights Community Association corporateBody
correspondedWith Charles C. May person
associatedWith Charles Kennedy person
associatedWith Child Welfare School corporateBody
associatedWith College of Home Economics corporateBody
associatedWith Columbia University corporateBody
associatedWith Connecticut Rehabilitation Association corporateBody
associatedWith Edward P. Chester person
associatedWith E. E. May person
associatedWith Elizabeth E. May person
correspondedWith E. May person
associatedWith Eva Hansl person
associatedWith Frederick County Historical Society corporateBody
associatedWith Frederick County Library corporateBody
associatedWith Frederick Memorial Hospital corporateBody
associatedWith Handicapped Homemaker Project. corporateBody
associatedWith Health Association of Broome County corporateBody
associatedWith Hood College. corporateBody
associatedWith Joseph Henry person
associatedWith Julia S. Judson person
associatedWith Kings College Hospital corporateBody
associatedWith Lawrence Marx, Jr. Resource Management Center corporateBody
associatedWith Leland S. Devore, Jr. person
correspondedWith Lillian Gilbreth person
correspondedWith Margaret May person
associatedWith Marshall Field corporateBody
correspondedWith MARY ELIZABETH SWITZER, 1900-1971 person
associatedWith Mary Switzer person
associatedWith Melvin Oss person
associatedWith National Tuberculosis Association corporateBody
associatedWith Nat T. Frame person
associatedWith Nellie M. Smith person
associatedWith New Jersey State Normal School corporateBody
associatedWith New Jersey State Teachers College corporateBody
associatedWith New York State Dietetic and Home Economics Association corporateBody
correspondedWith Oglebay Institute corporateBody
associatedWith Philadelphia Maritime Museum corporateBody
associatedWith President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped corporateBody
associatedWith Product Design Through Research corporateBody
associatedWith Shirley D. Peterson person
associatedWith State White House Conference Committees corporateBody
associatedWith Teacher's College corporateBody
associatedWith The Royal Bank of Canada corporateBody
associatedWith University of Connecticut corporateBody
associatedWith University of Connecticut. Handicapped Homemaker Project. corporateBody
correspondedWith University of Connecticut. President's Office. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Connecticut. School of Home Economics. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Missouri corporateBody
associatedWith University of Nebraska corporateBody
associatedWith Virginia Polytechnic Institute corporateBody
associatedWith Washington State Heart Association corporateBody
associatedWith WV University corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Connecticut
Connecticut
United States
United States
Subject
Education
Child care
Universities and colleges
Educators
Faculty
Home economics
Home economics
Home economics for people with disabilities
Homemakers
Interviews
Parents with disabilities
People with disabilities
Rehabilitation
Self-help devices for people with disabilities
Women with disabilities
Occupation
Authors
Educators
Home economists
Activity

Person

Birth 1899

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