Married Teachers Dismissed - 1933

Almost daily, reminders of discrimination permeate media reports, but at one point East Hampton witnessed a situation that would seem by 2015 standards a bit draconian – the dismissal of female teachers – because they were married!  On May 11, 1933, with four of the ten members absent, and Chairman Charles Torkelson abstaining, the Board of Education passed a resolution on a 4-to-1 vote to dismiss (terminate) four married teachers and reduce the salaries of eight others one-third percent (about $50) due to “economic conditions,” effective upon the expiration of teachers’ contracts in June.  The resolution, sponsored by Mrs. Howard W. House, included a provision to fill the positions with un-married teachers. Mrs. House, explained that it was presented “to save money and to open jobs for competent, single and unemployed teachers.” Joining Mrs. House in support were Mrs. Samuel Stewart, Leon Voisin and Richard J. Wall with Deaconess Harriet G. Hyde opposed. 

Two of the married teachers, Alice S. (Mrs. Ralph)  Thatcher and Regina Cheney began a campaign to fight the dismissal, threatening court action, if necessary.  Backed by a strong community effort, a petition was circulated calling for the Board to hold a special meeting to rescind its action.  Other teachers affected were Beatrice H. (Mrs. Raymond) Thatcher and Dorothy Parker. All four had taught for several years and were regarded as experienced and capable teachers. Commenting as President of the Taxpayers’ Association, Hubert Hodge stated that he was thoroughly in accord with any action taken by the Board, or any other official group, to reduce the town’s expenses, and so reduce the heavy burden now resting on the general public.

The Board of Education resolution and action to dismiss four married teachers spurred considerable community debate. The petition had a mixed results - 71 supporting reinstatement of the teachers and 75 against.  It was however enough to bring the issue back. The depression, then in its fourth years, had engendered many ideas for cost cutting and what many thought - fairness. If the husband, the primary breadwinner, had employment, why not give positions to unemployed single teachers? It would give more townspeople at lease some income.  At a Public Hearing and Special Meeting of the Board of Education on May 31st, the action previously taken was rescinded on a 5-to-4 vote after lengthy discussion.  Opposition to the dismissal was led by A. D. Williams who challenged the “economic issue” as “petty,” and was supported by the Rev. Edwin C. Field, Dr. John D. Milburn, Mrs. Milburn and Achille Cozzi.  Mr. Williams noted that the possible minor saving was estimated to be  $900 or less than 75 cents per taxpayer. 

Members Edward H. Wilkins, Mrs. Nellie Barton, Forest G. Thatcher (not husband of either of the dismissed teachers) and Mrs. Ethel Butler joined in the vote to overturn the previous action.  Speaking at the public hearing, Mrs. Regina Cheney, one of the teachers to be dismissed  “deplored the method and secrecy of the Board action in dismissing her.  She noted that she was informed by one of her pupils the following day.  She thought it most unfair to ask her to move to town and to transfer her from one grade to another with the implication that she was to remain, and then dismiss her.”  Mrs. Cheney even suggested that she would be willing to consider a reduction in salary if the economic conditions of the Town warranted it. Mr. Field pointed out that it was more to the point to consider the competence of teachers than to put a premium on the "M-R-S" in front of a woman's name and stressed the fact that children should be considered before economics.  The final outcome actually surprised many.

 

After being reinstated with the Board's rescission of the Resolution, Beatrice Thatcher, Alice Thatcher and Dorothy Parker tendered their resignations shortly after the close of the school year.

At the end of July, Mrs. Regina Cheney's contract was not renewed by the Board of Education, thus ended the East Hampton teaching careers of four married teachers.

Christmas Season in East Hampton

Nightly, television newscasters and live eye reporters show the hustle and bustle of shoppers at each of the malls or other locations around Connecticut, all speculating how well retailers will fare during the Holiday gift buying season.

It reminds me of a time before malls and all the discount retailers when holiday shopping meant going to the G. Fox & Co. department store in downtown Hartford or to main street Middletown. More likely however, many from our community did their gift buying locally at establishments such as Clark’s Corner Store, Muller’s Jewelers, Ravis’ Home Supply or Thatcher’s Drug Store.

The Christmas season was special. It didn’t start before Halloween which seems to be an annoying trend of late. It was after Thanksgiving when the air filled with excitement. Working behind the soda fountain at Thatcher’s, people always seemed much more pleasant, outgoing and engaging in that season. The drug store or what was the community gathering place, always took on a different appearance as well. Raymond “Deke” Thatcher meticulously placed his Christmas Rexall order in the late summer. He would wait with anticipation to receive box after box loaded with all kinds of odds and ends, some arriving in late October. We’d probably call most of the items stocking stuffers today.

The unending orders and boxes contained a full array of cosmetics, compacts, lipstick tubes, knickknacks of all sorts, pipes, cigars, special tobacco blends such as Amphora, and item after item that would tax the store’s shelving capacity. Special displays were positioned at the head of each isle as it captured the patrons who parked along West High Street or on the side of the building at the corner of Main Street. Back then, the store seemed gigantic. I can remember as a young boy Eaton Smith telling me as I picked up or Sunday newspapers that it was going to be the biggest drug store east of the Mississippi! Today, in retrospect, it is hardly one quarter the size of CVS or Rite Aid. But it had something all these locations now compete for – a buzz of customers eager to buy the latest the store had to offer.

And what was even better? You could sit on a counter stool, have a hot cup of coffee, hot chocolate or a milk shake and take a few minutes to unwind.

No, not a bad place to be. Merry Christmas!

Tony Bracha - Old Friend

My old friend, Anthony J. Bracha, passed away Wednesday at the ripe old age of 93. Known as “Tony” to one and all, he and his wife Ethel took up residence in the mid 1970s in their once summer cottage on Lake Drive in East Hampton, departing his home town of New Britain. Although retiring as an UAW Organizing Representative in 1977, life was just beginning for this affable fellow. Lifelong Democrats, Tony and Ethel became involved in local politics and within months, Tony was elected with his Democratic running mates, Eaton E. Smith and Rowland Beauleau, Sr. as majority members of our Board of Selectmen.

From East Hampton Democrats campaign brochure in 1977.

Tony at Democratic Headquarters.

Along with the likes of Gov. William “Bill” O’Neill, Raymond “Deke” Thatcher, Eaton E. Smith, my parents Donald and Pauline Markham, and some other friends such as William “Bill” MacDonald, John O’Neil, Charles Nichols and Anthony “Tony” Flannery, Tony Bracha was one of my early political mentors. As I look back at my own experiences and success, I am eternally grateful to the many, many people who worked for my campaigns, contributed funds, knocked on doors, and cooked or served meals for our famous “All you can eat for $5 - family spaghetti dinners!”

Paul and Elaine Puzzo cooking spaghetti in 1984.

Tony also played a very instrumental role that likely made a significant difference in my first campaign in 1978 and in the primary I faced in 1980. In 1978, Tony graciously took me to meet John Flynn, President of the United Auto Workers, lobbying him to support my candidacy. With Tony’s personal support, the UAW endorsed my candidacy, and that I’m convinced, made a significant difference in that first Legislative race.

Memorial Day Parade, 1979, l to r, Rep. Dean Markham, unknown, Selectmen Eaton E. Smith, Anthony J. Bracha, Chief Administrative Officer Eugene Shiller, Board of Finance Chairman James Standish, Selectmen Everett Breace and Mary Ann Barton.

Survived by a loving and caring family of his three daughters and son-in-laws, Patricia and Timothy Kaider who reside in Pennsylvania, Diane and Donald DeFronzo who reside in New Britain and our dear friends, Elaine and Paul Puzzo who reside in East Hampton, Tony also has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Recognizing Tony's retirement from the Board of Selectmen as he and Ethel prepare to move to Florida. Held in Tony's arms is David DeFronzo, son of State Senator Donald DeFronzo and his wife Diane Bracha DeFronzo.

Tony loved to fish. In fact, there have been times when he ventured out upon Lake Pocotopaug as dusk and after several hours, and the pitch black of night enveloping the lake, Elaine would become a bit agitated, strongly suggesting that Paul take the boat out and tow him back to the dock. Inevitably, Tony would pull up dockside with a string of fish. All was well.

Tony’s family and friends will miss him. But we don’t shed tears, but rather smile at having the privilege having known him.