Thyra E. Pedersen, ca. 1889-

Thyra E. Pedersen spent two years, 1923-1925, traveling around the world and teaching at the Union Girls' School in Hangchow, China and Sgaw Karen High School in Bassein, Burma. Her letters and short articles describe life, customs and notable places of East Asia.

She returned to the United States in 1925 and resumed her work as Assistant Director of the Nursing Service of the U.S. Veterans Administration, a post she held until 1943. As a Rehabilitation Officer for the American Legion, 1947-1950, she was Chief Nurse at the V.A. Facilities at American Lake, Washington and St. Cloud, Minnesota. Between 1939 and 1954, she actively opposed the Veterans of Foreign Wars ruling barring women from membership. In 1972, she initiated an investigation into discrimination against women veterans in V.A. domiciliary facilities. She was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

From the guide to the Papers, 1923-1974, (Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute)