Ann Kerr

From Theosophy Wiki
Revision as of 21:12, 13 March 2014 by Janet Kerschner (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Ann Kerr as President

Ann Kerr Wylie Greene was an American Theosophist who served in many roles in the Theosophical Society in America and its parent, the Theosophical Society based in Adyar, India. She was National Secretary from 1941-1950 and 1960-1972, and took on the position of President for the years 1974-1975.


Young Ann Kerr

Early years and personal life

Ann Kerr was born in 1905. She joined the Theosophical Society in 1924 in Schenectady, New York, and later served as President of the Detroit Lodge.
Ann Kerr was married to two prominent Theosophists - first to Samuel H. Wylie, who died on April 18, 1971; and finally to Oliver Greene.


Ann Kerr and friend working in garden at Olcott, 1940s.
Ann Kerr operating Sound Scriber at convention, early 1950s

Theosophical work

IN 1937, she joined the headquarters staff on the Olcott campus in Wheaton, Illinois. She worked for the Theosophical Press before accepting the responsibility of being National Secretary from 1941-1950 during the Cook and Perkins administrations. "She took a leave of absence in the early 1950s to participate in the School of the Wisdom in Adyar, and several years later was inveited to Adyar where she served as assistant international secretary for six years."[1] She "loved Adyar very much."[2] On returning from India, she once again became National Secretary. "Ann was the quintessential National Secretary, utterly serlfless and devoted to the society."[3]

From 1954 to 1959, and again from 1967 to 1970, Mrs. Wylie had the honor of serving on the General Council of the Theosophical Society, its governing body. She was nominated by President N. Sri Ram.[4]

Term as President

When TSA President Joy Mills was asked to become the Vice President of the international Theosophical Society, Ann Kerr was asked to fill out her term. From 1974 to 1975, she served in that capacity. The year 1975 was highly significant in the Theosophical Movement, as it marked the 100th anniversary of the Founding of the Theosophical Society. A centenary gathering was held in New York City, and the Theosophical Society in America took a leading role in making arrangements for the celebration.

Later years

"When she became Vice-President of the Krotona Institute in 1975 she gave a new impetus to the Centre."[5] "On 11 October 1991, Ann Kerr Greene passed away peacefully in her home at Krotona, California... Many will remember her with admiration and deep affection."[6] She had served the Society for 67 of her 86 years of life.[7]

Writings

Ann Kerr contributed articles to The American Theosophist and other Theosophical periodicals. According to the Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals, she authored 40 article under the name Ann Kerr, and 26 under the name Ann Wylie.

Notes

  1. "Anne Kerr Greene, 1905-1991," The American Theosophist 79.6 (November-December 1991), 4.
  2. "Mrs. Ann Kerr Greene," The Theosophist 113.3 (December 1991), 102.
  3. "Anne Kerr Greene, 1905-1991," The American Theosophist 79.6 (November-December 1991), 4.
  4. "Ann Wylie Elected to General Council," The American Theosophist 66.4 (February 1988), 41.
  5. "Mrs. Ann Kerr Greene," The Theosophist 113.3 (December 1991), 102.
  6. "Mrs. Ann Kerr Greene," The Theosophist 113.3 (December 1991), 102.
  7. "Anne Kerr Greene, 1905-1991," The American Theosophist 79.6 (November-December 1991), 4.