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For the past five years, Sandra Enos has been researching the history, development and disappearance of the orphanages, asylums and homes for children who were dependent, neglected, delinquent and abandoned in Rhode Island.† This history reaches back to the 1830’s and brings us to contemporary times.† This history of how communities have organized themselves to respond to identified need is a fascinating one.† Much of this work has been done by women.† Some by religious communities.† Some as part of larger social movements.† Some, like that of Elizabeth Buffum Chace, emerged out of an abiding concern that the dependent children of the state receive opportunities that were afforded to children with means.† Informed by oral histories of people who grew up in these homes, in addition to academic research has informs the content of this talk.
Dr. Sandra L. Enos, Associate Professor at Bryant University, is an active scholar and professor whose research projects include child welfare history and development, claims making and social movements, the history of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector and social innovation for social change.† She was Associate Professor at Rhode Island College until July 2006 where was a member of the State Home & School Oral History Project and served as Project Director of Campus Compact in the 1990’s.† Her book ìMothering from the Inside: Parenting in a Women’s Prisonî was published in 2001.† She is author of numerous articles and chapters in books, monographs and encyclopedias.Associate Professor at Bryant University, is an active scholar and professor whose research projects include child welfare history and development, claims making and social movements, the history of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector and social innovation for social change.† She was Associate Professor at Rhode Island College until July 2006 where was a member of the State Home & School Oral History Project and served as Project Director of Campus Compact in the 1990’s.† Her book ìMothering from the Inside: Parenting in a Women’s Prisonî was published in 2001.† She is author of numerous articles and chapters in books, monographs and encyclopedias.
Needs: Powerpoint projector and screen; Lighted lectern