Harriet Burns:

Groundbreaking Imagineer;

In celebration of Women's History Month,Disneyland Resort takes a look at the life of Harriet Burns,the first woman hired into a creative role at WED Enterprises, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering.
Harriet Burns was born on Aug. 20,1928 in San Antonio, Texas. She pursued her interest in the creative field by obtaining a bachelor's degree in Art from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and studing advanced design at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Two years after moving to Los Angeles in 1953, Harriet Burns began her career with the Walt Disney Company as a set painter. Later she joined WED Enterprises,assisting with the creation of Sleeping Beauty Castle and designing all of the "singing birds" for Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room,just to name a few.
Harriet Burns also contributed to the 1964-65 New York World's Fairs with figure finishing and stage design for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Carousel of Progress and "it's a small world."
In 1986, 31 years with Disney, Harriet Burns retired, and she passed away on July 25,2008. But her legacy remains at Disneyland through the attractions she brought to life.
Harriet Burns was honored as a Disney Legend in 2000 and is the only woman to have a window on Main Street,USA. The inscription reads "The Artisans Loft-Handmade Miniatures by Harriet Burns."

DR LEE