Carolyn C. Howlett

Carolyn Chance Howlett, 89, pioneering female lawyer and civic leader died on September 29, 2004. She was one of only three female lawyers in her class at the Yale Law School in 1938. She had previously graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in economics from Mt. Holyoke College in 1935. She was admitted to the bar in New York and New Jersey and practiced law in New York City until she married Duncan Howlett and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1943. She was a loyal and effective supporter of Duncan’s career as a Unitarian minister, and eventually rose to prominence in her own right serving in various positions in liberal religious organizations, culminating in her appointment as the first woman president of the International Association for Religious Freedom. During her presidency, she made a number of international trips including several to Communist countries in Eastern Europe promoting religious freedom. She was honored for these achievements with an honorary doctorate from the University of Chicago. During her retirement years she lived in Center Lovell, Maine with her husband where she was active in community affairs. She served as President and worked on the Board of Directors of the Lovell Library for eight years. She served on the Bridgton Hospital Board of Directors for ten years. Her husband of 60 years died in 2003. She is survived by a brother R Robinson Chance, her four children, Susan Hasty of Portland, Maine, Albert of Falls Church, Virginia, Richard of Burke, Virginia, and Carolyn “Lynn” Korth of Center Lovell, Maine, ten grandchildren, including Carolyn and William Korth of Center Lovell, Maine and six great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Monday October 11, at 11 a.m. at the United Church of Christ in Center Lovell, Maine. Donations may be sent to The International Association for Religious Freedom, c/o UUA International Office, 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108.