Vera Perlin
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Vera Perlin, OC
(1902 – 1974) was the founder of the Newfoundland Association for the Help of Retarded Children, born St. John's
, Newfoundland
(now Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
), daughter of Mitchie Ann (Manuel) and John Chalker Crosbie
, married Albert B. Perlin. Vera Perlin, an advocate for the rights of the mentally disabled and a reformer who influenced the entire school system of Newfoundland
and Labrador
and broke new ground on a national scale with her vision and accomplishments.
Educated at St. John's at Holloway School and Westminster Ladies' College, Toronto
. While a member of the advisory board of the United Church Orphanage, she had persuaded church officials to fund an experimental school modeled after such schools she had studied in England
. Perlin recruited Molly Dingle
as teacher and open the school in the Orphanage on Hamilton Avenue in 1954. Then in 1955 Perlin founded the Newfoundland Association for the Help of Retarded Children where she served as president until 1974. With the aid of donations and volunteer work the association opened the Vera Perlin School in 1959 on Patrick Street
. By the time of her death there were ten such schools opened throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(1902 – 1974) was the founder of the Newfoundland Association for the Help of Retarded Children, born St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
(now Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
), daughter of Mitchie Ann (Manuel) and John Chalker Crosbie
John Chalker Crosbie
Sir John Chalker Crosbie, was a Newfoundland politician and businessman.Born in Brigus, Newfoundland, the son of George Graham Crosbie and Martha, he started a company, Crosbie and Company, which was an exporter of fish. In 1908, he was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly...
, married Albert B. Perlin. Vera Perlin, an advocate for the rights of the mentally disabled and a reformer who influenced the entire school system of Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
and Labrador
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
and broke new ground on a national scale with her vision and accomplishments.
Educated at St. John's at Holloway School and Westminster Ladies' College, Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. While a member of the advisory board of the United Church Orphanage, she had persuaded church officials to fund an experimental school modeled after such schools she had studied in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Perlin recruited Molly Dingle
Molly Dingle
Molly Dingle MBE educator, born St. John's, Newfoundland. Dingle at the age of 16 began as a teacher's aid at Holloway School, then the Methodist College, and joined the staff of the Vera Perlin School in 1915. When she retired in 1952, she was its Principal.Educated at Presbyterian Hall at St....
as teacher and open the school in the Orphanage on Hamilton Avenue in 1954. Then in 1955 Perlin founded the Newfoundland Association for the Help of Retarded Children where she served as president until 1974. With the aid of donations and volunteer work the association opened the Vera Perlin School in 1959 on Patrick Street
Patrick Street
Patrick Street is an Irish folk group.The band was formed in Dublin in 1986 with Kevin Burke on fiddle, Jackie Daly on button accordion, Andy Irvine on bouzouki and vocals, and Arty McGlynn on guitar...
. By the time of her death there were ten such schools opened throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Awards
- Co-founder of Newfoundland's first Home and School Association.
- 1955, President of the Regional Council of Home and School Associations.
- 1962, first Citizen of the Year Award given by St. John's
- 1967, one of 11 Canadian women honoured as Women of the Century by the National Council of Jewish WomenNational Council of Jewish WomenThe National Council of Jewish Women defines itself as a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action...
. - 1968, appointed Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
for her "services to the community in many organizations, particularly those dealing with the care and treatment of retarded children". - 1970, awarded an honorary LL.D. by Memorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
.