The Latham Foundation for the Promotion of Humane Education was formed in 1918 by Milton and Edith Latham, a brother and sister who originated the Foundation as a tribute to the memory of their parents. The Latham Foundation has been especially skilled at using many different types of media to promote the message of kindness and compassion to all species–of particular note are the radio and TV spots featuring “Brother Buzz.”
International poster contests were another important area of outreach for the Latham Foundation, and below are some examples of winning designs from the 1930s. The Latham Foundation organized traveling poster exhibits, where hundreds of posters were sent around the country free of charge to any art gallery, university, library, or other organization who wished to mount an exhibition of them. In promoting this traveling exhibition, the Latham Foundation noted that “not only do these posters help to develop interest in humane education and international good will, but they are also of unusual value and interest from the art standpoint.”
Detail of Latham Foundation brochure, 1930s, featuring poster art by Ralph A. Clark. Collection of The Latham Foundation.
Detail of Latham Foundation brochure, 1930s, featuring poster art by Myrtle M. Dittmer. Collection of The Latham Foundation.
Detail of Latham Foundation brochure, 1930s, featuring poster art by Dorothy J. Brown. Collection of The Latham Foundation.
Detail of Latham Foundation brochure, 1930s, featuring poster art by Chung Ngat Por. Collection of The Latham Foundation.
Detail of Latham Foundation brochure, 1930s, featuring poster art by Theresa di Marco. Collection of The Latham Foundation.
Be Kind: A Visual History of Humane Education 
In the 1950’s I won a third place in the Poster Contest as a student at Cradock Elementary School, Portsmouth, Virginia. The title at the top was simply the word PEACE. The thought and subject was of a hand, sewing together a quilt of the flags of the many countries in the world. The hand was suppose to be the hand of the Statue of Liberty. I was in the sixth grade. If only PEACE could be that simple. I always remember being so concerned about war and unrest in the world, living in that military area.
I now live in High Point, North Carolina, and have worked all over the United States and the World. I just celebrated my 70th birthday, and remember my concept for this poster, the joy of knowing someone thought the concept good and the recognition for my efforts. There was a big article in the newspaper. I spent my 50 year career in the furniture and fabric industry. This recognition furthered my desire for an artistic career.
Finally today, I had time to think about this and just wanted to share my appreciation with you. This opportunity greatly influenced my life. Sorry it took so long to thank The Latham Foundatioin!
Donna Patricia Greene Kaiser
My friend’s 94-year old mom just passed away. As we marveled at what she (an exotic dancer) left behind we came across the 2nd Prize Winner, Humane Poster Contest, Latham Foundation 1929.
At the time her name was Marie White. p.s. My cousin, Ann Raker lives in High Point!
In 1943 I was informed by the Latham Foundation that my poster submission, with the theme, Educate For Peace, had won First Prize in the year before I enlisted to fly in the US Navy. I am now eighty seven, have been a successful professional artist and college professor, and wondered if the Foundation had retained the competition posters over the years. My website, shared with my wife: harrisandrosbarron.com. Remain buoyant. Emeritus Professor Harris Barron.