Meredith Howard Harless
Encyclopedia
Meredith Howard Harless was a performer and Miss America contestant who earned fame with her twin sister, Virginia, at the Miss Tulsa beauty pageant in 1927 when they were both elected to win the contest. A winning coin flip earned Meredith a trip to the Miss America
pageant of 1928 where she finished as a runner-up. Her experiences at Miss America led to a five-year stint as a performer with the Ziegfeld Follies
, where she worked with such stars as Eddie Cantor
, Fred Astaire
and Ed Wynn
.
In 1935, Meredith joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios
in Hollywood, California working in public relations, advertising, and fashion, working directly with Louis B. Mayer
. While at MGM, Meredith continued to model with her sisters, Virginia and Mary, who starred in several films for MGM at that time. From 1937 to 1941, Meredith took a job with Crowell-Collier publishing in Washington, D.C.
with their advertising department. In addition to her work in advertising, Meredith wrote two syndicated columns: “At Random” under her own name, and “Selective Tuning” under the name Jean Abbey on the Washington, D.C. social scene and women’s fashions. Already well known in Washington as a writer and radio commentator, Meredith made a bigger splash further west in Arizona
with her marriage to Arizona Congressman Richard F. Harless
.
With the outbreak of World War II
, Meredith concentrated on her writing and radio career with the Hecht Broadcasting Company. In 1940, she became the first woman to broadcast a presidential inauguration, and the first woman to have her own radio commentary show. In addition to her broadcasting work, Meredith volunteered with the United States Treasury Department to raise a total of $250 million of war bonds, worked with the Civilian Defense Home Hospitality Committee, the Stage-Door Canteen, and the Russian War Relief
Committee. In addition to her wartime charitable work, Meredith founded the United Nations Club in December 1941. With the participation ambassadors of 58 countries, the United Nations Club became one of the major social organizations promoting the allied war effort and post-war charitable initiatives of the United States.
In 1948, Meredith returned to Arizona to campaign for her husband's bid for governor. After a brief stint with KTAR
radio during the campaign, in 1949 she became the producer of “A Look Behind the News” for CBS in Phoenix
, where she also was a regular commentator. For the next several years Meredith would write, produce and star in several radio and television programs for stations throughout the valley, including “Arizona Close-Ups” for NBC and “Arizona Caravan” for ABC, where she worked as Public Relations Director. Her efforts earned her Arizona’s Outstanding Woman award in 1951.
Meredith continued to work in local Arizona broadcasting as well as participating in local charities such as the Salvation Army
, where she served as Vice President for the national organization, and Washington D.C. organizations including the Washington Fashion Group, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She actively worked in many charitable organizations and local community efforts until her death on June 19, 1996 at the age of 86.
Miss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
pageant of 1928 where she finished as a runner-up. Her experiences at Miss America led to a five-year stint as a performer with the Ziegfeld Follies
Ziegfeld Follies
The Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 through 1931. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air....
, where she worked with such stars as Eddie Cantor
Eddie Cantor
Eddie Cantor was an American "illustrated song" performer, comedian, dancer, singer, actor and songwriter...
, Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute...
and Ed Wynn
Ed Wynn
Ed Wynn was a popular American comedian and actor noted for his Perfect Fool comedy character, his pioneering radio show of the 1930s, and his later career as a dramatic actor....
.
In 1935, Meredith joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
in Hollywood, California working in public relations, advertising, and fashion, working directly with Louis B. Mayer
Louis B. Mayer
Louis Burt Mayer born Lazar Meir was an American film producer. He is generally cited as the creator of the "star system" within Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in its golden years. Known always as Louis B...
. While at MGM, Meredith continued to model with her sisters, Virginia and Mary, who starred in several films for MGM at that time. From 1937 to 1941, Meredith took a job with Crowell-Collier publishing in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
with their advertising department. In addition to her work in advertising, Meredith wrote two syndicated columns: “At Random” under her own name, and “Selective Tuning” under the name Jean Abbey on the Washington, D.C. social scene and women’s fashions. Already well known in Washington as a writer and radio commentator, Meredith made a bigger splash further west in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
with her marriage to Arizona Congressman Richard F. Harless
Richard F. Harless
Richard Fielding Harless was a U.S. Representative from Arizona.Born in Kelsey, Texas, Harless moved to Thatcher, Arizona, in 1917 and attended the grade and high schools.He graduated from University of Arizona in 1928....
.
With the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Meredith concentrated on her writing and radio career with the Hecht Broadcasting Company. In 1940, she became the first woman to broadcast a presidential inauguration, and the first woman to have her own radio commentary show. In addition to her broadcasting work, Meredith volunteered with the United States Treasury Department to raise a total of $250 million of war bonds, worked with the Civilian Defense Home Hospitality Committee, the Stage-Door Canteen, and the Russian War Relief
Russian War Relief
Russian War Relief was an alleged Communist front group, circa 1944. According to a 1943 FBI report, the group was “infiltrated with known Communists, Communist leaders, fellow travelers, and front organizations.” The chairman of Russian War Relief was Edward C...
Committee. In addition to her wartime charitable work, Meredith founded the United Nations Club in December 1941. With the participation ambassadors of 58 countries, the United Nations Club became one of the major social organizations promoting the allied war effort and post-war charitable initiatives of the United States.
In 1948, Meredith returned to Arizona to campaign for her husband's bid for governor. After a brief stint with KTAR
KTAR (AM)
KTAR is the callsign for a radio station in Phoenix, Arizona. It airs programming from ESPN Radio, in addition to KTAR-acquired broadcast rights for local teams...
radio during the campaign, in 1949 she became the producer of “A Look Behind the News” for CBS in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, where she also was a regular commentator. For the next several years Meredith would write, produce and star in several radio and television programs for stations throughout the valley, including “Arizona Close-Ups” for NBC and “Arizona Caravan” for ABC, where she worked as Public Relations Director. Her efforts earned her Arizona’s Outstanding Woman award in 1951.
Meredith continued to work in local Arizona broadcasting as well as participating in local charities such as the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
, where she served as Vice President for the national organization, and Washington D.C. organizations including the Washington Fashion Group, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She actively worked in many charitable organizations and local community efforts until her death on June 19, 1996 at the age of 86.