: Morton Tenzer*
The first of our Spring programs will take place on the campus of the University of Hartford, with a presentation on The Life of Beatrice Fox Auerbach by Professor Virginia Hale. We shall arrive at 1030 for coffee, and the program presentation will be at 1100, to be followed at 1200 by a copious buffet luncheon. We have Cecilia Welna to thank for proposing and making arrangements for this occasion.
Most of us remember the G Fox department store in Hartford in the years of its ascendancy as a renowned and forward looking institution with a range of goods and services comparable to an entire shopping mall of today. Established in 1847, it bore the name of its, founder, Gerson Fox, a Jewish immigrant, and grew into the sixth largest privately owned store in the country. Gerson Fox's granddaughter, Beatrice Fox Auerbach (born July 17, 1887) became involved in store management after a devastating fire in 1917 and, on her husband's death in 1927, became still more prominent; when her father Moses Fox died in 1938, she became president of the store.
Under her direction G.Fox developed in significant ways. The Company introduced a five day week for employees. retirement plans, health benefits. and lunch facilities provided on a nonprofit basis. African American and female employees enjoyed opportunities for advancement. Customers were able to use toll-free telephone service for placing orders, and free deliveries were instituted. The Company grew tenfold.
From her sixtieth year Mrs. Auerbach traveled widely to many parts of the world, and her diaries and correspondence, along with the recollections of friends and associates. make up a rich documentary record, an invitation to scholarship on the part of her biographer, who has now come forward in the person of Dr. Virginia S. Hale, Emerita Professor of English and Department Head at the University of Hartford. Professor Hale's nearly completed book on the Life of Beatrice Fox Auerbach provides the material for her lecture.
In 1965, Beatrice Fox sold her shares in the Company to May Department Stores and turned to philanthropic activities, estab!L:;hing a Foundation to support educational and civic activities, and she became involved in the Service Bureau for Women's Organizations. Her distinguished career ended with her death on November 29, 1968 ..
*********************************************************************************************
Getting There Access to campus is from Bloomfield Avenue (Route 189), which runs north from Route 44, just east of the West Hartford line. Visitor parking is in the lots marked K on the map. The Harry Jack Gray Center, 14 on the map, houses the 1877 Club Restaurant, where we shall gather.
Note the Museum of American Political Life is also housed in the Gray Center. It was the focus of our Spring 2004 program
Also note one can reach Bloomfield Avenue by taking Exit 48 from 1-84 West, taking Asylum Ave. and turning right onto Scarborough Sf. after a mile and a half, then taking a left onto Route 44 and a right onto 189. If you do this, ignore the lesser U of Hartford campus on Asylum.
The second of our Spring programs will take place at the Museum of Natural History and Connecticut Archaeological Center on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs Ct . A power point presentation on Historical Burial Practices in New England, an Archaeological Perspective will be presented by Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni, the State Archaeologist. Dr. Bellantoni is well known as the leading expert on the archaeological history of the State of Connecticut. Whenever an important site ib the state is found or is about to be disturbed, his office is called upon to direct the operation. This promises to be a most interesting and educational event. We have Tim Killeen to thank for proposing and making arrangements for this event.
We shall arrive for coffee at 10:30 and the program will begin at 11:00. A prepaid ($14.00) buffet lunch will follow the presentation.
**********************************************************************************************
Approach the Campus on Storrs Road (Route 195) from the north or south. Turn onto North Eagleville Rd, it's a left coming from the south and a right coming from the north. Proceed on N Eagleville and immediately after you pass the parking garage on your left make a left onto Hillside Rd.. Proceed on Hillside until you pass Gampel Pavilion( the big dome). Immediately turn right onto Stadium Rd The South Parking Garage is on your left on Stadium Rd.. Turn in take a ticket and Park. . If you continue past Gampel Pavilion on Hillside Road, the Museum of Natural History is the second building on your right.
Forms for dues payment and program registration are available at this site at reservations and at end of page.
COMMENTARY, by Mary Rogers
Reflections on the Primary Elections
The voting in the early primary states is much easier to understand than many of its interpretations. That young people are voting for Senator Obama is easily comprehensible; similarly, voters above a certain age are favoring Senator Clinton. No mystery. Where the mystery arises is in the analysis (or its errors) which some commentators advance. Remarks have emphasized new public attitudes to nonwhite candidates. Why not towards non male candidates?
The fifteenth constitutional amendment which says that "The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude" was enacted March 30, 1870. The nineteenth amendment, which says ''The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex" did not take effect until August 26, 1920. Half a century later!
Historically, it is more remarkable that a woman is running for president than it is that an African American is running for president. Yet we find many commentators full of criticism for the woman while showing admiration for the talented young biracial senator.
Is it possible that this country is ready to accept a nonwhite male in the Oval Office, but not ready to accept a female there? Are American voters unaware of Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, Angela Merkel, Indira Ghandhi, Gaida 1v1eir, and so many other womell who have been elected leaders of their divGfse cotmtries? Do these women's records of service seem especially negligible, a series of cautionary tales?
Please, guys, don't feel threatened. Let those of us whose mothers could not vote have a candidate to do honor to them and us.
RECRUITS FOR THE EMERITUS ASSEMBLY
The following is an edited version of a piece that Mary Rogers wrote in October.
Every year there are new retirees from many or all of the colleges and universities in Connecticut. All such individuals are eligible for membership in the Emeritus Assembly. Sometimes their names have been made known to officers of the Assembly, but in many cases the Assembly has difficulty in learning their identities and addresses. This circumstance provides an opportunity for all members to help both their organization and their former colleagues.
Do you know of someone who has retired recently? Has that person received a copy of our Newsletter? It is our policy to send the Newsletter to all retirees for two years after they retire, forgiving them the annual dues payment of ten dollars during that period; thus you can encourage your acquaintance to make a risk-free request for a sample of our output and details about our programs. Suggest a contact with one of our officers. Bear in mind that membership is open to retired faculty from all colleges and universities in Connecticut, whether or not they had a previous connection with AAUP.
Help us to sustain and replenish our membership, and you will ensure the continuation of our programs of interesting meetings and gatherings, where you can meet and make friends and congenial acquaintances, the colleagues of a lifetime.
Special note: The above two articles, in their original form, are available at the web commentary section of this site, under the heading of rogerscom.
Exclusive in the printed version of this issue of newsletter include information on Emeritus Assembly Ride Share Volunteers and a report from David De Nuccio on a Synopsis of Executive Board Meeting, January 15, 2008 of the American Association of University Professors, Emeritus Assembly. Please contact the EA membership chair Tim Killeen at killeen3@charter.net if you would like to have a printed copy if you wish to read about these items.
DUES FORM Note: If you paid dues in
the fall of2007, you are paid up for the year
.
________NEW MEMBER
________CONTINUING MEMBER
NAME(S) ________________________________
ADDRESS ________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
TELEPHONE # ____________________________
EMAIL ADDRES ___________________________
DUES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR (2007-2008) $10.00 Make checks payable to EMERITUS ASSEMBLY, AAUP and mail to Compton Rees, Treasurer, 359 Spring Hill Road, Storrs, CT 06268
REGISTRATION FORM
________ University of Hartford (4/15/08)
Number Attending ____ ($17.00 pp)
Reserve by March 28, 2008 for the luncheon
_______ Museum of Natural History (5/6/08)
Number Attending____($14.00 pp)
Reserve by April 23, 2008 for the luncheon
NAME(S) _________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________
___________________________________________
____________________________________________
TELEPHONE # ______________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS __________________________