FOCUS: Vermont Legislature Apologizes for ‘Eugenics Survey’

Description

Following is a video of our Center for Media and Democracy program which aided in removing the Dorothy Canfield Fisher name from a prestigious Vermont children’s book award. The name has been changed to the Vermont Golden Dome Book Awards.

In this discussion of why Dorothy Canfield Fisher's name should be removed from the Vermont Book Award, evidence is presented that the author had a direct connection with the Vermont Eugenics Survey. Judy Dow, Franco American/ Abenaki educator, artist, and writer, presents a compelling power point on the history of eugenics and documentation on the reasons to change the Dorothy Canfield Fisher book award name. Kim Chase, third generation, Franco American writer and educator, and Kathy Olwell, retired social worker and social activist, talk about how the impact of the Vermont Eugenics Survey is still pertinent and discuss the vital need for acknowledgment, education, and a chance to heal.

Vermont Book Award: vcfa.edu/vermont-book-award/about-vermont-book-award

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