Historical Society Focuses on 'Five Women and their Legacies'

“Five Women and Their Legacies” is the title of the Milford Historical Society's summer exhibit at the Clark/Stockade house, 34 High St. The exhibit may be seen are every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. through Oct. 10. Admission is free, although donations are always welcome.

Come and learn the stories of Sally Stowe Clemence, Rutheva Baldwin Brockett, Ruth Platt, Kay Barrett and Dr. Helen Langner. They were leaders who had fascinating lives that touched many and influenced generations of people in Milford.

All the women’s accomplishments added substantially to the fields of finance, history, education and medicine.

Sally Stowe Clemence was one of the first women named Director of a New York Stock Exchange firm, and in 1976 was named by “Business Week” magazine as one of the “100 Top Corporate Women in America.”

She had many successes in her financial career in New York City, but never forgot her hometown. She lived on High Street just a few doors down from the Society and across the street from her sister, Joan, who still lives in their family home. Sally served on the boards of the Milford Bank, the Milford Hospital and the Milford Historical Society. She was also a member and financial secretary of the Freelove Baldwin Stow Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of the First United Church of Christ, Congregational.

She was born in 1924 in the Stockade House when it was being used as Milford’s first public hospital.

Rutheva Baldwin Brockett was related to John Baldwin, one of Milford’s founders in 1639. She became Milford’s very first City Historian. She wrote popular booklets: “A Walking Tour of Milford” and “Oystering in Milford: A Brief History.” And we are especially indebted to her for updating the WPA “History of Milford 1639-1939” book by writing a new section that traced changes in Milford up to 1989. Rutheva was also born in the Stockade House.

Ruth Platt, known to many generations of grammar school students as “my 4th grade school teacher,” was a descendant of 13 of the original founders of Milford and a charter member of the Milford Historical Society that was founded in 1930. She volunteered at Milford Hospital as a member of the Milford Hospital Auxiliary, was chairperson for 12 years of an essay contest sponsored by the Freelove Baldwin Stowe Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a life member of the First United Church of Christ, Congregational. She lived from 1895-2001 and was able to celebrate her 106th birthday. Her life span included the 1800s, 1900s and 2000s - three centuries!

Kay Barret was an educator for 49 years and at age 29 became the youngest school principal in the history of Connecticut – a record that still stands. She developed innovative programs such as Head Start, media centers in elementary schools and health education for grades 6-8.

In 1970 the Chamber of Commerce named her Milford’s “Citizen of the Year.” In 1991 was she named United Way’s “Person of the Year,” and in 2008 Mayor James L. Richetelli, Jr. declared June 8 as “Katherine M. Barrett Day.”

Dr. Helen Langner was the 4th woman to graduate from the Yale School of Medicine. She was an early practitioner in the emerging field of child psychiatry and opened a private practice in New York City. She retired from her private practice in 1970 and ended her career at age 98, after working with Milford’s Health Department and the staff at Milford Hospital. She lived to be 105.