Clorinda Low Lucas

Clorinda Low Lucas (née Elizabeth Jessemine Kauikeolani Low; August 9, 1895 – February 24, 1986) was an American Native Hawaiian social worker. She was one of the earliest trained social workers in Hawaii, and served in social work leadership positions on the islands, including as the chief of the social work division of the social security department at the department of social welfare, and as the director of the "School of Social Work Service" for the department of public instruction for the State of Hawaii.

Early life, education, and family Elizabeth Jessemine Kauikeolani Low was born on August 9, 1895, in Honolulu, Republic of Hawaii, she was partially Native Hawaiian. Her father Ebenezer was a cowboy, and politician; and he was a direct descendant of the John Palmer Parker family, and of King Kamehameha I. Her mother Lizzie was of mixed racial heritage and was a hānai (informally adopted) child to judge Sanford B. Dole and his wife.

Lucas received a BA degree in English 1917, from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts; followed by a MA degree in 1937 from the New York School of Social Work (now Columbia University School of Social Work) in New York City. Together they had one daughter Laura Kalaukapu Low Lucas, who married noted social worker Myron "Pinky" Thompson in 1949.

Career While in high school, Lucas volunteered with the organization Hui Pauahi, and she spent time with underserved youth in the then-impoverished Kakaʻako neighborhood of O'ahu.

Death and legacy Lucas died at the age of 90 in her home Niu Valley neighborhood of Honolulu, on February 24, 1986. Her papers are held at the Hawaii State Archives.