Harriet Bouslog was one of a handful of women lawyers practicing in Hawai‘i in the 1940’s and 50’s. She became a champion for the working class. With her partner Myer Symonds, she represented the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), fighting for fair labor laws and wages for the people of Hawai‘i. She was instrumental in ending the death penalty in the Territory of Hawai‘i and her efforts and public comments during the Hawaii Seven trial of alleged Communists led to her disbarment and subsequent reinstatement after a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court. Brilliant, vivacious, and controversial, Bouslog was one of Hawai‘i’s great defenders of human rights and dignity. This inspiring documentary combines interviews with family and friends, commentary by legal historians and photographs and film that recorded the life and times of this extraordinary woman.
(Recap from PBS Hawaii’s “Biography Hawaii: Harriet Bouslog”.)
A historic building in the Merchant Street Historic District is named for her and was the site of her office.
Photo credit: Olivier Koning
