Wilhelmina Holladay
Wilhelmina Holladay | |
---|---|
Born | Wilhelmina Cole October 10, 1922 Elmira, New York, U.S. |
Died | March 6, 2021 Washington, D.C., U.S. | (aged 98)
Education | Elmira College University of Paris |
Known for | National Museum of Women in the Arts |
Spouse |
Wallace Holladay
(m. 1945; died 2012) |
Children | 2 |
Awards | Women's Caucus for Art Lifetime Achievement Award (2001) National Medal of Arts (2006) |
Honours | Legion of Honour Royal Norwegian Order of Merit |
Wilhelmina Cole Holladay (
Early life
Holladay, known as "Billie",[3] was born in Elmira, New York, on October 10, 1922.[4][5] Her father, Chauncey Cole, worked as a businessman; her mother, Claire Elisabeth née Strong, was a housewife.[3] She was close to her maternal grandmother,[3] whom she credits with inculcating a perception of beauty.[4] Holladay graduated with a degree in art history from Elmira College in 1944. She went on to study art history at Cornell University, before undertaking further studies at the University of Paris from 1953 to 1954.[1]
During World War II, Holladay worked for the United States Air Force and the Embassy of China. In the latter capacity, she was employed as the social secretary of Soong Mei-ling, the wife of Chiang Kai-shek.[3] She met Wallace Holladay while he was a naval officer in Washington, and later married him.[6]
Career
The Holladays began collecting art in the 1950s. On a trip to Europe during the 1970s, they saw and admired paintings by
The National Museum of Women in the Arts
Holladay and her husband founded the
Personal life
Holladay married Wallace F. Holladay in 1945. They remained married until his death in 2012. Together, they had two children: Wallace “Hap” Jr. and Scott Cole, who predeceased her.[3][4]
Holladay died on March 6, 2021, at her home in Washington, D.C. She was 98; no cause of death was announced.[3][4]
Honors and awards
Holladay was inducted into the
Bibliography
Holladay authored the book A Museum of Their Own: National Museum of Women in the Arts, published by Abbeville Press.[15]
References
- ^ a b Oczypok, Kate (March 8, 2021). "Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, Founder of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Dies at 98". The Georgetowner. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ "National Museum of Women in the Arts". Retrieved March 1, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Risen, Clay (March 11, 2021). "Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, Whose Art Museum Promoted Women, Dies at 98". The New York Times. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Langer, Emily (March 9, 2021). "Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, champion of women in the arts, dies at 98". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ a b "Wilhelmina Cole Holladay". Washington, D.C.: National Museum of Women in the Arts. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Conroy, Sarah Booth (February 15, 1987). "THE FOUNDING FORCE OF WILHELMINA HOLLADAY". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
- ^ "Oral history interview with Wilhelmina Holladay, 2005 Aug. 17–2005 Sept. 23". Archives of American Art. 2005. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Ann Sutherland Harris". Art Table: The Leadership Organization for Professional Women in the Visual Arts. ARTTABLE. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ O'Neal Parker, Lonnae (April 18, 2014). "Holladay founded National Museum of Women in the Arts, now she's working on its legacy". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Wilhelmina Cole Holladay". National Women's Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Visionary Woman Awards". Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "2006 National Medal of Arts Recipient". Retrieved March 1, 2014.
- ^ "Foremother and Health Policy Hero Awards Luncheon". May 7, 2018.
- ^ "Wilhelmina Holladay to be JCU's Distinguished Commencement Speaker". Rome: John Cabot University. April 15, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ISBN 978-0789210036.