Elizabeth Carter Bogardus

Elizabeth Carter Bogardus was a Hawaiian community leader, socialite, and the founder of the Junior League of Honolulu.

Early life and family

Elizabeth Carter was born on August 28, 1895, in Honolulu, Hawaiian Kingdom, to American parents Helen and George Robert Carter. Her parents came from the United States to the Hawaiian Kingdom two years prior to her birth, in 1893. Her mother Helen Strong Carter worked as a philanthropist, and helped establish medical and dental facilities in Hawaii. Her father George Robert Carter served as the second territorial governor of Hawaii. Her grandfathers included Henry A. Strong, an Eastman Kodak president; and Henry Alpheus Peirce Carter, a diplomat in the Hawaiian Kingdom.
In October 1917, she married Washington Everardus Bogardus, a banker from a prominent American family of Dutch heritage.

Career

In 1923, Bogardus founded the Junior League of Honolulu with 30 female founding members, a local Junior League nonprofit organizations. At the time of its founding, the group was focused on working with the local children's hospital, Kapiolani Maternity Home.
The League produced a movie, The Kamaaina, which was shown in various locations in the United States. By 1928, the league had grown to 117 members. The Junior League of Honolulu has later focused on community service projects for Honolulu and the greater area.
Additionally Bogardus had lobbied for the preservation of Queen Emma Summer Palace in Honolulu and Hulihee Palace in Kailua-Kona.

Death and legacy

Bogardus died on December 21, 1928 in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, at the age of 33 after an illness. She was survived by her husband and parents, and was buried at O'ahu Cemetery in Honolulu.
After her death, a bed at the Kapiolani Maternity Home children's hospital was dedicated in her honor. In 1929, a new Junior League building at the Pearl Harbor Yacht Club was erected as a memorial for Bogardus.