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

On January 19, 1927, Henry Farnham 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

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

Government of Vermont

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

On October 27, 2018, the University of Vermont renamed its library because of Guy W. 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

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

  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.