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the Board of Education on May 31st, the action previously taken was rescinded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.
