Helen Gahagan Douglas

Helen Gahagan Douglas
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 (1900-11-25)November 25, 1900 Boonton, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	June 28, 1980(1980-06-28) (aged 79) New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Melvyn Douglas ​ (m. 1931)​
Children	2
Parents	Walter H. Gahagan (father) Lillian Rose Mussen (mother)
Alma mater	Barnard College
Occupation	Actress politician

Helen Gahagan Douglas (born Helen Mary Gahagan; November 25, 1900 – June 28, 1980) was an American actress and politician.

Gaghan'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, Gaghan was first elected to the United States Congress. In the 1950 U.S. Senate election in California, she lost to Republican nominee Richard Nixon. The campaign became symbolic of modern political vitriol, as both Gahagan's Democratic primary opponent Manchester Boddy and Nixon referred to her as "pink right down to her underwear", suggesting Communist sympathies.