Harlean James (1877-1969) received the Pugsley Bronze Medal in 1942 for her years of devoted service in the interest of America's parks. Subsequently she was awarded the Pugsley Gold Medal for constantly and effectively espousing the cause of parks at all levels of government, but particularly at the state and national levels through articles, editorials, speeches correspondence and testimony given before Congressional Committees. She was born in Mattoon, Illinois and James received her B.A degree in history from Stanford University in 1898. She undertook her graduate studies at both the University of Chicago and Colimbia University. After completing her education she began her career as a court reporter in Honululu and she worked as a private secretary for the collector of customs in Honululu from 1903-1904. She moved to east and worked as a executive secretary of the newly organized Women's Civic League and remained in that position from 1911 to 1916. She played a central role in the establishment of parks in the U.S during the first half of the twentienth century.
She was also the executive secretary of the National Conference on State Parks beginning in 1935 and renained in that position until 1958. She played a role in the development of the Appalachian Trail. Harlean Hames dedicated commitment in numerous areas of service earned her wide-spread recognition. In addition to Pugsley awards she received the outstanding service award from the American Society of Planning Officials in 1954. She was appointed an honorary vice-president of the American Foresting Association and inducted into several groups including American Society of Landscape Architects and American Institute of Architects. She was a prolific writer She authored three influential books, The Buildings of Cities (1916), Land Planning in the U.S for the City, State and Nation (1926) and Romance of the National Parks (1939).