10/20/2026
We are catching up on the big event of last Friday! In VABVI's 100th anniversary, it is fitting that Anne Connelly, the trailblazing main mover and shaker of early VABVI, the public face and promoter of early VABVI, and the person whose lived experience as a blind person informed and shaped the direction the new statewide program would take, was honored last Friday by the City of Burlington with the following proclamation:
Proclamation
Honoring the legacy of Anne Connelly and Burlington’s Early Commitment to Blind and Visually Impaired Residents
Whereas, in 1926 Anne Connelly became the first professional teacher of children and adults who are blind for the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired; and
Whereas, Anne herself as a blind woman was the first Vermonter to travel in the community with a white cane between her home on Pearl Street and her office at City Hall, forever changing public opinion and views about the ability of people who are blind; and
Whereas, Anne further influenced public views and opinions on the abilities of people who are blind by receiving and traveling in the community with the first guide dog in Vermont, named Betty; and
Whereas, in 1928, Anne established Braille classes in Burlington City Hall to train Red Cross workers and members of the Catholic Alumnae in reading and writing Braille so they could translate popular books into Braille for blind readers; and
Whereas, in 1929, Anne broadened her work by opening a community classroom in Room 17 of Burlington City Hall, where local children and adults who were blind received training, instruction, and support designed to increase independence and opportunity; and
Whereas, the City of Burlington recognizes the importance of preserving and sharing this history as part of its ongoing commitment to accessibility, equal opportunity, and the dignity and contributions of people who are blind or visually impaired;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Emma Mulvaney-Stanek, Mayor of the City of Burlington, Vermont, do hereby proclaim this day, October 16, 2026, as
ANNE CONNELLY AND BETTY THE GUIDE DOG RECOGNITION DAY
In Burlington, Vermont, and encourage all residents to learn about Anne Connelly’s pioneering work, reflect on the history of accessibility and inclusion in our community, and recommit ourselves to creating a city that is welcoming and accessible to all.
Emma Mulvaney-Stanek
Mayor, City of Burlington, Vermont
The plaque honoring Anne Connelly and Betty, Vermont’s first trained guide dog, will be installed in the Sharon Bushor room in Burlington’s City Hall to mark the location of Anne’s office in City Hall and where she opened a classroom for Burlington residents who were blind and visually impaired.
The plaque features a photo of Anne and her guide dog. It includes the following passage:
In 1928, Anne Connelly, as the first teacher for VABVI, ran a classroom at City Hall instructing others in the use of Braille and independent living skills. She improved public views on blindness as the first Vermonter to travel a white cane and the first guide dog in Vermont, Betty.
The passage is also featured in Braille on the sign.
