Born in Nova Scotia in 1859, Kathryn (McMillan) Lawrence Harrison attended the University of Minnesota, taught physical education, and later received a medical degree from Minneapolis Institute of Osteopathy. She practiced obstetrics and osteopathy in Minnesota, Cuba, and New York before coming to Seattle around 1907. In addition to her medical practice, she was married twice, had two children, Frank Lawrence and Gloria (Harrison) Hollis, and was active in the woman suffrage movement.
In January 1912, Dr. Harrison was accused of murder in an abortion death, but the charge was dismissed when it was learned that someone else was responsible. At the time, abortion was illegal, as was sending information on abortion or birth control through the US Mail. In November 1912, Harrison was one of nine Seattle doctors (and 172 doctors nationwide) arrested on the latter charge in a nationwide Post Office sweep. She was tried in Seattle, fined $250, and released after being unable to pay the fine.
Harrison remained in Seattle until her death in 1955, practicing osteopathic medicine at least through the 1930s.
Caption information source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, November 21, 1912; September 27, 1913 Caption information source: Seattle Star, November 21, 1912 Caption information source: U.S. District Court: United States vs. Kathryn M. Harrison, October 15, 1912
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 4 x 6 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
