Helen Newell Garfield

Helen Newell Hills Garfield (February 12, 1867 – August 20, 1930) was an American socialite and advocate for deaf education. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, to John Newell and Judith Poore Hills, both of whom were born in Massachusetts. Her father was a railroad president.

In 1890, she married James Rudolph Garfield, a lawyer and politician who was a son of President James A. Garfield. The couple had four sons, named John, James II, Newell, and Rudolph. Their family residence was located in Mentor, Ohio, and was called "Hollycroft." Both of her sons, James and John, served in the United States Army during World War I.

Helen Garfield was active in society life in Washington, D.C., from 1902 to 1909, during which time her husband held positions working with President Theodore Roosevelt, including as Secretary of the Interior. While residing in Washington, she helped establish the District of Columbia branch of the Woman's Department of the National Civic Federation.

Following her return to Ohio in 1909, Garfield dedicated herself to deaf education and advocacy. In 1921, she founded the Lake Erie School of Speech Reading and the Cleveland Association for the Hard of Hearing. She was involved with the American Federation of Organizations for the Hard of Hearing and worked towards the implementation of lip reading classes within Cleveland Public Schools. Garfield herself experienced hearing difficulties in adulthood.

During World War I, Garfield contributed to efforts supporting French orphans and engaged in fundraising activities. She received a decoration from the King and Queen of Belgium for her work in this capacity. Additionally, she served as an inspector at the Bureau of Supplies of the American Red Cross, where she screened donated knitted goods for quality and appropriate fit.

Garfield’s contributions to deaf education and wartime relief initiatives are documented through various archives. Her papers, along with those of her husband, are preserved in the Library of Congress. Some of her teaching materials are included among the papers of her son James A. Garfield II at the Western Reserve Historical Society.

Helen Newell Garfield died in 1930 at the age of 63, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in New Hampshire. Her legacy includes her role in the development of speech reading education, which is now represented by the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center, affiliated with Case Western Reserve University.