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Eugenics Survey of Vermont

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The Eugenics Survey of Vermont was a survey that gathered biological, familial, and social information of Vermonters in order to further eugenic policies in the state.[1] The survey existed from 1925-1936 and resulted in the sterilization of at least 250 Vermonters, most of them women.[2] Because of incomplete records, it is likely that the actual number of forced sterilizations was higher than this.[3][4]

Background

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On January 19, 1927, Henry F. Perkins, a professor of zoology at the University of Vermont, addressed the state legislature and suggested the creation of a record-keeping system for tracking perceived familial deficiencies in the state.[2][5]

Impact

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At least 250 people were forcibly sterilized due to Vermont's policies, which disproportionately impacted marginalized groups.[6] Women, poor people, disabled people, French Canadians, children, and indigenous people (particularly the Abenaki) bore the brunt of the impact.[7] In addition to forced sterilization, families were separated, often by institutionalizing adults while placing children in foster care.[8]

Legacy and contrition

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Government of Vermont

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On March 31, 2021, the Vermont House of Representatives voted unanimously to apologize for the State's involvement in the eugenics movement.[9][10][11]

On May 12, 2021, the Vermont Senate unanimously voted to support the House bill apologizing for the legislature's involvement in the eugenics movement.[9][12][13]

In 2023, the state legislature authorized the creation of a truth and reconciliation commission.[14]

University of Vermont

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On October 27, 2018, the University of Vermont renamed its library because of Guy Bailey's involvement in eugenics in Vermont.[15][16][17][18][19] On June 21, 2019, President E. Thomas Sullivan apologized for the University's involvement in the eugenics survey.[20][21][22][23][7]

Vermont Library Board

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On January 9, 2018, the Vermont Library Board voted to recommend renaming of the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award due to Dorothy Canfield Fisher's possible ties to the eugenics movement.[24][25][26] On May 3, 2019, the Vermont Department of Libraries announced that the award would be renamed in 2020.[27][28] The award was subsequently renamed the Vermont Golden Dome Book Award.[29]

References

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  1. ^ "Vermont Eugenics". www.uvm.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  2. ^ a b Dann, Kevin; Carter, Christie (Winter 1991). "From Degeneration to Regeneration: The Eugenics Survey of Vermont, 1925-1936" (PDF). Vermont History: The Proceedings of the Vermont Historical Society. 59 (1): 5–29.
  3. ^ Banner, Greg Sukiennik, Bennington (2021-03-31). "Vermont House unanimously apologizes for its role in eugenics policies". Bennington Banner. Retrieved 2024-01-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "Vermont's State Archives' Eugenics Movement Collection | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  5. ^ "Vermont Historical Society announces new history of the state's eugenics movement, 'Vermont for the Vermonters'". The North Star Monthly. 2023-09-01. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  6. ^ "Coming To Terms With Vermont's Dark History Of Eugenics". Vermont Public. 2017-06-07. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  7. ^ a b Hardy, Nicole (2021-05-10). "Eugenics at UVM: why Abenaki leaders feel the apology wasn't enough". The Vermont Cynic. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  8. ^ Gokee, Amanda (2021-02-21). "90 years after Vermont eugenics survey, lawmakers propose apology to those affected". VTDigger. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  9. ^ a b "Bill Status J.R.H.2". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  10. ^ "No. R-114. Joint resolution sincerely apologizing and expressing sorrow and regret to all individual Vermonters and their families and descendants who were harmed as a result of State-sanctioned eugenics policies and practices" (PDF).
  11. ^ Bakuli, Ethan. "Official apology for eugenics program moves ahead in Vermont Legislature". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  12. ^ French, Ellie (2021-05-12). "Senate votes unanimously to apologize for state-supported eugenics". VTDigger. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  13. ^ "Vermont Senate joins House in eugenics apology". AP News. 2021-05-13. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  14. ^ "Vermont forms reconciliation panel after eugenics apology". AP News. 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  15. ^ DeSmet, Nicole Higgins. "UVM renames library after student outcry over eugenics ties". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  16. ^ "School to remove name from library over eugenics link". AP News. 2018-10-27. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  17. ^ Walsh, Molly. "'Howe' Now: UVM Drops 'Bailey' From Library Name Over Eugenics Ties". Seven Days. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  18. ^ Walsh, Molly. "UVM Apologizes for a Eugenics Survey That Ended in 1936". Seven Days. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  19. ^ "UVM Trustees Approve Removal of Bailey's Name from Bailey/Howe Library | Howe Library". library.uvm.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  20. ^ Walsh, Molly. "UVM Apologizes for a Eugenics Survey That Ended in 1936". Seven Days. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  21. ^ "Statement Regarding UVM and Eugenics – Abenaki Arts & Education Center". Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  22. ^ Sparkman, Mills (2019-06-27). "Sullivan apologizes for eugenics survey in open letter". The Vermont Cynic. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  23. ^ "UVM President Reaffirms Eugenics Apology". WAMC. 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  24. ^ Walsh, Molly. "Library Board Pushes to Rename Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award". Seven Days. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  25. ^ "The Dorothy Canfield Fisher Name Should be Removed from the Vermont Book Award". CCTV Center for Media and Democracy. 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  26. ^ Banner, Bennington (2017-07-09). "Author under scrutiny for long-ago ties to eugenics". VTDigger. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  27. ^ "From the Office of the State Librarian: New Name for Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award to Be Selected by Vermont Youth | Department of Libraries". libraries.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  28. ^ Walsh, Molly. "Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award to Be Renamed". Seven Days. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  29. ^ "Vermont Golden Dome Book Award | Department of Libraries". libraries.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
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