The name Margaret Hamilton may conjure up the iconic image of the Wicked Witch of the West, menacingly cackling as she terrorizes Dorothy and her friends in the classic film “The Wizard of Oz.” However, behind the green makeup and broomstick was a woman whose life off-screen was dedicated to advocacy, particularly for children, animals, and public education. Unlike her on-screen persona, the real Margaret Hamilton was a beacon of kindness and compassion, a former kindergarten teacher who channeled her celebrity into positive action.
Hamilton’s journey into the world of advocacy wasn’t marked by a sudden shift but rather was an extension of her commitment to education and care that she held long before she donned the witch’s hat. Her background as a schoolteacher, as well as her experiences with children’s theater, laid the groundwork for a life of service. Hamilton’s debut as a “professional entertainer” on December 9, 1929, at the Cleveland Play House was the beginning of a career that would allow her to use her influence for good. She held a lifelong commitment to public education, shaping young minds before she ever stepped onto the MGM lot.
Despite the character she played, Hamilton never lost her passion for connecting with children. She was acutely aware of the impact her portrayal of the Wicked Witch had on young viewers. She shared, “When asked about her experiences on the set of The Wizard of Oz, Hamilton said her biggest fear was that her monstrous film role would give children the wrong idea of who she really was.” Hamilton made an effort to set the record straight, such as when she appeared on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” in 1975 and explained she was only playing a role, lifting the veil on the transformation process.
Hamilton’s dedication to advocacy was evident in her regular appearances on television for public-service announcements, promoting the welfare of pets. She also served on the Beverly Hills Board of Education from 1948 to 1951 and was a Sunday school teacher, nurturing a generation of children with values and knowledge. She understood the power of media and used her role as the general store owner, Cora, in television commercials for Maxwell House coffee, to remain a visible and positive figure.
Despite the frightening impression she made on some children as the Wicked Witch, Hamilton worked to ensure that her legacy would be a positive one. She used her voice and platform not just to entertain, but also to educate and advocate for causes that she held dear. “Almost always they want me to laugh like the Witch. And sometimes when I go to schools, if we’re in an auditorium, I’ll do it. And there’s always a funny reaction, like ‘Ye gods, they wish they hadn’t asked.’ They’re scared. They’re really scared for a second. Even adolescents. I guess for a minute they get the feeling they got when they watched the picture. They like to hear it but they ‘don’t’ like to hear it,” Hamilton recounted, illustrating her playful engagement with the very audiences who may have once feared her.
Before her death in 1985, she was a guest speaker at a University of Connecticut children’s literature class, and she lived her passion for education and children’s welfare until the end.
Relevant articles:
– Margaret Hamilton (actress)