Thelma Howard facts for kids
Thelma Pearl Howard (born June 26, 1914 – died June 10, 1994) was a special person who worked for Walt Disney and his family. For thirty years, from 1951 to 1981, she was their housekeeper and cook in their home in Holmby Hills, California.
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Who Was Thelma Pearl Howard?
Thelma Pearl Howard was known for her hard work and the close friendship she built with the Disney family. She became a trusted and respected part of their lives.
Her Early Life
Thelma grew up in Idaho. When she was older, she trained to be a stenographer in Spokane, Washington. A stenographer is someone who takes notes very quickly, often using a special machine. In 1931, she moved to California. Before working for the Disneys, she had different jobs, including working in offices and cleaning houses.
Working for Walt Disney
Thelma started working for Walt Disney, the famous creator of Mickey Mouse and Disneyland, in 1951. She helped manage their home and cooked meals for the family. She worked for them for a very long time, three decades!
A Special Friendship
Thelma was more than just an employee to the Disney family. She earned their respect and became a close friend. They thought of her as part of their family. Walt Disney even gave her gifts of shares in his movie studio. Shares are small parts of a company. He gave these to her for Christmas and her birthdays. Thelma never sold these shares.
Her Amazing Legacy
Because she kept the shares Walt Disney gave her, Thelma Pearl Howard became very wealthy. After she passed away, her money was worth over $9 million! This money was split into two parts. Half went to her son. The other half went to a special group called the Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation.
The Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation helps children learn about the arts. It supports programs in dance, music, visual arts (like painting), and dramatic arts (like acting). These programs are for young children, from preschool up to eighth grade, in Los Angeles County. The California Community Foundation helps run this important foundation.
