Hazel Belle Abbott

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120189333/hazel-belle-abbott

From https://sdexcellence.org/Hazel_Abbott_1984 ISouth Dakota Hall of Fame)

Hazel Belle Abott started school at the age of four and graduated as salutatorian from Yankton Academy. In 1912, she graduated from Yankton College and in 1916, she received a degree from Columbia College of Expression in Chicago. She studied for her master's degree at Columbia University.

While in South Carolina, Hazel pursued a full career. From 1927 - 1956 Hazel was on the faculty of Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In addition to her teaching duties, she directed plays, did extensive writing and lecturing, and produced radio dramas. She became the head of the Drama and Speech Department at Converse College and gained national acclaim in theatre circles for her staging, costumes, and directing.

Hazel Abott was also intensely interested in the history of her native state. She wrote and produced The Pagent of Bon Homme, The Pagent of Tyndall, and in 1957 she wrote and directed Life at Yankton College.

When Hazel retired from Converse College in 1957, she became editor of the Yanktonais, the college alumni magazine until 1961. From that time on, she kept busy with historical research. The last few years she worked on histories of her family, Yankton College and Bon Homme county.