Doris Pike White

Doris Pike White
Born	Template:Birth date Lubec, Maine, U.S.
Died	November 22, 1987(1987-11-22) (aged 90) Portland, Maine, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, investment banker, community leader
Known for	24th President General of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Doris Pike White (December 1, 1896 – November 22, 1987) was a distinguished American entrepreneur, investment banker, and community leader who held the position of the 24th President General of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Prior to this national leadership role, she served as the NSDAR State Regent for Maine. Professionally, White was vice president at the investment firm Pierce, White, and Drummond, Inc. Her public service included participation on the White House Conference on Highway Safety Committee in 1955, and she was notably the sole female member appointed to the Maine Judicial Council.

Early life and education

Doris Pike was born in Lubec, Maine and completed her undergraduate education at Wellesley College. She further advanced her studies through graduate work at Leland Stanford University. In recognition of her achievements, she was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree by Bowdoin College in 1960.

Career

White’s early professional experience encompassed teaching languages, economics, and history in educational institutions across Massachusetts and New York City. Additionally, she held the role of training director at a prominent Fifth Avenue department store in Manhattan. Her involvement extended to her family’s industrial enterprise until its sale in 1954.

Following the passing of her husband in 1952, White embarked on a career in investment banking, assuming the vice presidency at Pierce, White and Drummond Inc., headquartered in Bangor, Maine.

Public service

In 1954, White was appointed to the Planning Committee for the White House Conference on Highway Safety, and the following year she contributed to Maine’s Highway Safety Committee. The governor appointed her twice as one of three lay members on the Maine Judicial Council, making her the only woman to serve in that capacity.

Her commitment to education included active involvement with Bowdoin College where she served as president of the Society of Bowdoin Women. Among her honors was the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation, awarded for her oration titled For What Avail If Freedom Fail.

Daughters of the American Revolution

White became a member of the Hannah Weston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1937. Two years later, she participated as a page at the NSDAR Continental Congress. She later led as chapter regent from 1948 until 1950 before transferring her affiliation to the Frances Dighton Williams Chapter.

Between 1952 and 1954, she held the office of State Regent for Maine. From 1953 to 1956, she chaired both the Americanism Committee and the DAR Manual for Citizenship Committee at the national level. In 1954, White was elected Vice President General with a record number of votes and presided over the Vice Presidents General Club from 1955 through 1957.

Her election as President General of NSDAR came in 1959 when she prevailed over Kathryn Newland. During her tenure, she honored Baron Wernher von Braun with the DAR Americanism Medal recognizing his contributions to Explorer I and Pioneer I space missions. In 1961, she presented John Wayne with the Motion Picture Award at Continental Congress events followed by a reception at Paramount Studios.

In May 1961, White traveled to Hawaii where she laid a wreath on board the USS Arizona memorializing those lost at Pearl Harbor. After completing her term as president general, she served as leader of the National Officers Club from 1974 until 1976.

On October 24, 1961, both the Doris White Auditorium and Gymnasium at Kate Duncan Smith DAR School were dedicated in her name alongside an associated endowment fund.

Personal life

On August 12, 1944, she wed entrepreneur Ashmead White, who passed away in 1952. She died in Portland, Maine on November 22, 1987, and her final resting place is Mount Hope Cemetery located in Bangor.