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 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
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 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]