Weekly Update 3.25.19
'I'm aware of ethics. That's the only thing connected to auctions I'm aware of. I feel it's a business that's been very low in ethics and somebody has got to start somewhere. I don't want to be the guardian angel, but those are my ethics.’’
Emma Bailey (1910-1999)
First female nationally recognized auctioneer from Brattleboro, VT, in reference to an auctioneer's practice of buying merchandise outright, pretending to sell it to a fictitious bidder if the price isn't high enough for an auctioneer's liking, and then re-auctioning the same piece at a later auction for a better price
Happy Sunday, WeCAN friends. This week is our last foray into Women's History in Vermont as part of Women's History Month and we'd like to close out the week with a pioneer in the field of Auctioneering. This week we feature Emma Bailey: a Western Avenue, Brattleboro resident and the first female auctioneer recognized by the National Auctioneers Association.
We Will Sell Anything—From a Plate to an Estate: Emma Bailey, First Woman Auctioneer
In 1945, Emma Bailey moved to Brattleboro, VT with her husband and two children. Since their new home was an old house in need of repair, and the family was having difficulty paying bills, Emma decided to start an auction business to supplement her husband's income. In April 1950, Bailey placed the following advertisement in the local newspaper:
“The Bailey Auction Barn on Black Mountain Road is prepared to handle auction sales. Courteous and efficient handling of all consignments, large or small. We will sell anything—from a plate to an estate, signed: Emma Bailey, Brattleboro's Woman Auctioneer.”
On May 12, 1950, Bailey sold her first item: a 50-year-old rocking chair for a price of $2.50. Her Saturday auctions soon became a regular local event, and her family helped out: Bailey's husband organized the sale items, and her daughters did the record-keeping and sold concessions. Bailey sold a wide range of items, including antiques, farm tools, books, and household furniture.
During her time as auctioneer, Bailey encountered some opposition based on her gender: in 1950 a male competitor sought to bar Mrs. Bailey from conducting her first auction, seizing on a zoning code regulation that he said made it illegal for her to conduct sales in the barn on her property. She overcame this obstacle and began regular auctions. Mrs. Bailey was one who also took firm exception to criticism of women auctioneers lacking stamina: “I have sold for eight solid hours without a break—a feat most men find difficult” she said.*
In 1952, after applying to the National Auctioneers Association, Bailey was accepted as the first female member of the Association. Later, when Bailey and a rival male auctioneer both expressed interest in the same sale, the man proposed that he should get the sale because "he had a family to support", whereas Bailey already had a working husband. Bailey lost the sale. ''This male auctioneer used sex in reverse to get that sale,'' she said to the Christian Science Monitor in 1982^. "He used it many times," she continued, "(but) I never used it. I didn't want the sex to be the tool. Men sell cars; women sell cars. There's no reason I can't sell antiques and understand them as well as a man.''
Despite her induction to the National Auctioneer's Association, Bailey was not always well supported by her peers. In 1960, when a reporter inquired about women auctioneers, the Association's response was that "although a woman had tried auctioneering in Vermont, she had found it too hard and quit". This was news to Mrs. Bailey as she was very active that year. In response, Mrs. Bailey had this to say: ''I took up auctioneering as a way to meet a specific need and not have to leave the house five days a week,'' she says. ''Oh, I could still auction if I wanted to, but I'd rather not. I keep turning them down. If I do it for one, I must do them for all.''^
She continued her auction sales for almost 20 years, before retiring "at the peak of her career" in the late 1960s. She wrote a book about her experiences, titled Sold to the Lady in the Green Hat (1962). For years after her retirement, Mrs. Bailey would still receive letters from fans and well-wishers: ''We still get letters from people, beginning in March and April, from way off in Oshkosh and such, saying: 'When I was a little girl, I used to come to your auctions, bring a picnic lunch, and sit under the trees during the sale. I'd like to come and bring my children. When are you having your next one?' I have to write back and say, 'I'm sorry but I'm retired now. It's like the old saying: Leave a party while you still want to dance.'' Mrs. Emma Bailey passed away in 1999 at the rumored age of 89.+
* https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/29/archives/women-auctioneers-once-unheard-of-now-are-loud-and-clear-critical.html
+ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Bailey
^ https://www.csmonitor.com/1983/0519/051907.html?fbclid=IwAR2i9eviEsZeBE1k4DKSIVy-OkVcLLNYfSB8o0Vfe9eJFjbX3P0eOu8qpMg
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HAPPENING TODAY, SUNDAY, MARCH 24th, 2019
Guilford Community Day
Sunday, March 24th, 2019 at the Broad Brook Community Center (3940 Guilford Center Road, Guilford, VT, 05301). 9am-7pm.
The Broad Brook Community Center is hosting a Community Day. Come join a fun filled day of events and activities. It's free and open to all! Come enjoy a coffee with friends and neighbors at the all-day Community Cafe or join one of the many scheduled activities. There will be an Open Stage and Potluck Supper from 4pm-7pm.
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The 28th Annual Women's Film Festival (EVENTS TODAY AT 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm)
sponsored by the Women’s Freedom Center
Starts Friday, March 22nd, 2019 and Ends Saturday, March 30th, 2019 at the New England Youth Theatre (100 Flat Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). Times vary with performances.
The 28th annual Women’s Film Festival in Brattleboro, VT is a celebration of movies from around the world, and a platform for women to tell their own amazing stories. Over the course of two weekends 35 documentaries, feature films, and shorts will be screened. Something for everyone! With films about the arts, friendship, activism, sports, lesbian/queer lives, motherhood, gender roles, religion, fashion, radium, romance, and so much more.
Film schedule can be found here: http://womensfilmfestival.org/festival-schedule/
Tickets for individual films are $10/generous, $9/general admission, $8/discounted admission. A five-movie pass is available for $40. Passes can be purchased online at: womensfilmfestival.org/tickets , in person at Everyone's Books in Brattleboro, or by calling 802-257-7367 during business hours.
The event raises funds for the vital work of the Women’s Freedom Center, the non-profit domestic and sexual violence organization providing shelter, advocacy and support to southeastern Vermont for over 45 years.
Thanks to these generous sponsors for helping make the Women’s Film Festival possible: Chroma Technology Corp, SIT Graduate Institute, Thompson House, Brattleboro Area Hospice Brattleboro Food Co-op, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Tracy J Sloan Cpa, Windham Movement Apparel, Sobo Studio, Vermont Jazz Center, Green Mountain Crossroads, AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, Gallery in the Woods, and more.
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HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, MARCH 25th, 2019-SUNDAY, MARCH 31st, 2019
Mother Up! Monthly Meet-Up
Monday March 25th, 2019 at KidsPLAYce (20 Elliot St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-7:30pm. A vegetarian meal and childcare for ages 10 and under will be provided. RSVP helpful, but not required. Contact Abby Mnookin for more info at [email protected].
Mother Up!: Families Rise Up for Climate Action is a project of 350Vermont that brings together families to talk about the tough realities of climate change and to participate in the transition to a healthier and safer world. Jessica Dolan, a Brattleboro MU! parent and Scholar of Environmental Anthropology, Ethnobotany, and Indigenous Studies will be presenting, "The Restorative Ecology of Peace: Haudenosaunee values for caring for community and Mother Earth." In this talk, Jess will share her doctoral research and learning journey studying Haudenosaunee environmental philosophy and relationships with land. Haudenosaunee traditional knowledge is a distinct Indigenous knowledge system that offers pathways to integrated social and ecological health, and methods for us to re-think inter and intra cultural community resilience and survival in these times of climate change.
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Know Your Rights in the Era of #MeToo: A Community Conversation
co-sponsored by the Women’s Action Team, the Women’s Freedom Center
Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6pm-8pm.
This is a free event. For more information please contact [email protected].
We want to empower women and all survivors of sexual violence to know their rights, with the goal of creating a community where people are not afraid to come forward with their stories. Join the Women's Action Team, the Women's Freedom Center and our guest speakers for an open community conversation.
Speakers include:
Cara Cookson, Victim Rights Attorney
Deborah Lee Luskin, Writer, Speaker, and Educator
Michael S. Lewis, First Amendment Attorney
James Valente, Trial Lawyer
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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, March 29th, 2019 (and every Friday) at TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT). In front of the building. 12pm-1pm. Signs will be provided
TD is a major investor in Tar Sands. TD helps to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline. What You Can Do (besides attending the vigils): If you’re a TD depositor, change banks! Founded in 2005, Post Oil Solutions is a 501c3 community organizing project in Southeastern Vermont whose mission is to help empower the people of the Central Connecticut River Valley bioregion in this era of global warming and climate change to develop sustainable, resilient , collaborative, and socially just communities leading to a self- and community-sufficient post petroleum society.
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Brattleboro Winter Farmers Market
a project of Post Oil Solutions
Saturday, March 30th, 2019 (and every Saturday thru March 30) in the C.F. Church Building (80 Flat Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-2pm. Accepting credit, debit, and EBT. Crop Cash turns $10 EBT into $20 every week. Lunch cafe and live music. For info email [email protected], call 802-869-2141, or visit us at www.brattleborowinterfarmersmarket.org.
New Location! Larger and more accessible. Free Parking. All local - farm produce, meats, syrup, fresh baked goods, cheeses, fruits, cider, pickles, preserves, handmade jewelry, pottery, soaps and more. Building community every week.
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Meet and Greet With National Sister District Project Co-Founder Rita Bosworth
sponsored by the Southern VT Sister District Chapter Southern VT Sister District
Saturday, March 30th, 2019 at the Brattleboro Music Center (72 Blanche Moyse Way, Brattleboro, VT 05301) from 4pm-6pm. All are welcome. Email us for further details: [email protected]. There will be live music and delicious appetizers.
The Southern Vermont Chapter of Sister District Project, a group of local volunteers working to support the blue wave in flipping state legislatures across the country, is very excited to welcome Rita Bosworth, the executive director and co-founder of the National Sister District Project, for a discussion of the group's 2019-2020 strategy. Join local Sister District activists to hear Rita's inspiring message, place a silent bid on the spring Save Our Nation Vacation auction, and learn how you can get involved.
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Rights and Democracy (RAD) Organizing Event
Sunday, March 31st, 2019 at the Putney Friends Meeting Space (17 Bellows Falls Road, Putney, VT) from 6pm-8pm. RSVP TODAY. Save the Date & Share the Event! . This is a potluck meal, please bring a meal to share if you are able.
Let’s keep the momentum going Windham County! With such great turnout at our Windham Together meeting in late February and at the Economy for All Town Hall with Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman earlier this month, it’s time to get together again and plan our next steps.
We'll start with a potluck meal, learn about updates on efforts to move toward a livable minimum wage and ensure everyone in Vermont has paid family and medical leave insurance, and hear directly from local legislators. You will also have the chance to connect with our new Vermont Organizing Director, Dan Fingas! We’ll host breakout sessions, and develop action steps, about some immediate ways we can ensure these measures pass, and what other issues matter to our communities and how we’ll work together on solutions. Please join us and invite your friends and neighbors.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Climate Change Café Presents: Climate Vision 2020
a project of Post Oil Solutions
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6:30pm-8pm. Free. Light Refreshments Available. For more information please email [email protected].
Returning to the Café after his well-received talk in 2017, Climate change specialist Dr Edward Cameron will present the key lessons from the 2018 IPCC 1.5C report and outline a vision for building a low-carbon, climate-resilient and inclusive economy in Vermont, throughout the United States and across the globe. He will look beyond the climate change challenge and explore how each of us can use this moment to build a just and sustainable world for all.
Edward Cameron is a Senior Advisor (Consultant) with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. He has worked with policy makers in the U.S, as well as internationally through the UN to be more ambitious on the climate.
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Third Annual Diaper Dump
hosted by Parks Place Community Resource Center and WNESU Early Education
Friday, April 12th, 2019 at Dari Joy (140 Rockingham St, Bellows Falls, VT, 05101). 12pm-6pm. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Please sign up at the following link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D48AAA92BA7FA7-third
Help us fill the truck with diapers! The Time for a Change Diaper Bank of the Greater Falls area is hosting their third annual diaper drive and we need your help! Stop by with diapers or wipes to donate and receive a coupon for a free cone from Dari Joy.
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Common Ground for Climate Action
sponsored by Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition, Living Earth Action Group, and Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, April 14th, 2019, at Neighbors’ Hall at Solar Hill (229 Western Ave, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 2pm-5pm. Neighbors' Hall is at the back of the building on the top of the hill above the parking area. Suggested donation $10, no one turned away. All are welcome. Please bring snacks to share (if you like). Registration is not required but please do RSVP to let us know you're coming so we can be sure the space will accommodate us all well. RSVP by email to [email protected]. For more information Contact Cat Buxton 802-359-3330.
Join us in Brattleboro to advance the soil conversation and learn how to connect to actions for building the soil sponge and deepening resilience in your community. Soil is the glue that holds our landscape and our communities together. The soil carbon sponge is a critical component of adapting to our changing climate and mitigating the effects of flooding and drought. Join members of the Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition to hear about the overlooked superhero for climate correction: The ground beneath our feet!
Presenters include author, educator and organic consultant Grace Gershuny of Barnet, compost and soil health educator Cat Buxton of Sharon, and agroecologist and tree steward Tatiana Schreiber, Ph.D. of Westminster West.
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Camp for a Common Cause
Friday, May 17th, 2019-Saturday, May 18th, 2019 on the Brattleboro Common (intersection of Park Place, Route 5 and Route 30 in Brattleboro, VT, 05301). Pitch tents starting at 5pm Friday; we must vacate by 10am Saturday after a light breakfast. No alcohol and no fires please. Dogs are welcome, but must remain on a leash at all times. Contact Julianne with questions or to make a reservation: 802.490.2951, email [email protected], or go to GroundworksVT.org.
Join us for this year’s overnight campout where we will raise awareness about homelessness in our community and raise funds to support Groundworks' efforts to house our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
The fun starts on Friday with live music and a community barbecue! Unable to camp overnight? No problem! Join us for food and music! You can support Groundworks with a donation, and/or purchase a tent for a neighbor in need.
Fundraising: Teams and individuals are asked to fundraise a suggested minimum of $100 per person to support Groundworks. PLEASE NOTE - all contributions are welcome and it costs nothing to camp. We ask participants to try to raise some money on our behalf. All contributions are tax deductible.
Register Online at https://groundworks.rallybound.org/Camp2018 and ask your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family for contributions to support your campout.
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RESOURCE FOR WeCAN: Rapid Response Text Alert System
When WeCAN began Song & Solidarity set up a Rapid Response Text Alert System for WeCAN Groups. Directions for signing up are on WeCAN's website, here: https://www.wecantogether.net/rapid_response We were reminded of the Rapid Response text alerts system as President Trump moves towards firing Mueller. In the event Mueller is fired, MoveOn is planning a nation-wide simultaneous protest. The trick will be to get the word out fast if/when the time comes. We are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.
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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS
Brattleboro State Representatives’ Updates and Community Conversation
First Saturday of the Month, alternating between 10am and 4pm (2.2.19 was at 10am). Location information to follow. Childcare available upon request by contacting [email protected].
As promised, all three of your Brattleboro State Representatives, Mollie Burke, Emilie Kornheiser, and Tristan Toleno, will gather in Brattleboro to host a community conversation and share updates from the first few weeks of the legislative session. Our series of monthly conversations— scheduled for the first Saturday of the month— will alternate between 10am and 4pm.
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Women Veterans Weekly Coffee and Tea Social
Thursday Mornings at Brattleboro Legion Post 5 Inc. (32 Linden Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9am-10am.
All female veterans are invited to join in the Women Veterans group coffee held at the American Legion. All women veterans are welcome. You do not need to be a Legion member.
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Lost River Racial Justice, Black Lives Matter-South, and People Of Color Caucus Regular Meeting
Reoccurring racial justice organizing meetings every 2nd Monday at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio of the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) on the First Floor. 6pm-8pm. Childcare provided. Fragrance & nut free space.
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Youth 4 Change
Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 5:30pm-8pm.
For more information please contact Youth 4 Change at [email protected].
Agenda:
5:30pm: Drop in homework time and art making
6:00pm: Food
6:30pm: Meeting and Organizing
Youth 4 Change is for local-area youth 12-22 interested in political organizing around local/state/national social justice issues that are important to them. Brattleboro area advocates and educators are holding a space, and assisting youth in building a strong personal tool kit to organize for change. Using a variety of creative methods, we aim to enable youth with tools for resilience, courage and compassion, while fostering their ability to speak up about issues that matter to them, and to take action in the name of love and liberation for all people. Come explore issues of racial, economic and gender justice through art, movement, first-hand accounts and contemplative practices. Connect with area youth around the issues that matter to you and strengthen your tool kit for action!
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Windham County NAACP Regular Meetings
Monthly community meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at The Root Center for Social Justice (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) on the First Floor from 6pm-7pm. Upcoming Meetings: 3/21/19; 4/18/19; 5/16/19. For more information please email [email protected]. All are welcome.
The meetings are open to anyone interested in racial justice. The Mission of the NAACP is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
Indigo Radio
Sundays at 12pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FMTo stream live: Visit www.wvew.org
Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections! IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/. For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353.
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Thank you for your kind feedback on our Women's History pieces this month, WeCAN Friends. We love hearing your thoughts! If you have suggestions about Vermont residents past or present to highlight (or subject matter you'd like to see explored), please email [email protected] with your ideas. Until next week...
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