Frederica Devereux (Bullene) Woodward Helen Keller correspondence 

Title:

Frederica Devereux (Bullene) Woodward Helen Keller correspondence 

Creator:

Keller, Helen, 1880-1968, author

Woodward, Frederica Devereux Bullene, 1880 – 1971, recipient 

Date range:

1950

Call number:

AG245

Abstract: 

In October 1950, Helen Keller wrote a fundraising letter on behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). The letter describes the work being done by the AFB to provide services and support for people who are deafblind. This collection includes the letter, addressed to Frederica Devereux Bullene Woodward. 

Extent:

0.25 linear feet

Language:

English

Processed by:

Susanna Coit, 2023

Biographical/Historical note:

Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an internationally renowned author, lecturer, advocate, and activist who first gained attention as a highly accomplished student who was deafblind. Some of the many causes she advocated for were in support of equal rights for women, civil liberties, civil rights, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Keller worked for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) from 1924 until 1968. She raised money and lobbied for legislation that would help people who were blind or deafblind. Much of her work addressed more equitable access to employment and educational opportunities. 

Frederica Devereax (Bullene) Woodward (1880-1971) was born on October 3, 1880 in Lawrence, Kansas. She attended country schools before moving to Colorado with her mother following her parents’ divorce. Frederica graduated from the University of Kansas in 1900 and was the first female sports writer for the Denver Post. Frederica married Chester Woodward (1876-1940) in 1906 and the couple had two sons, Thomas Darlington Woodward and Brinton Webb Woodward.

Sources of information:

Notes provided in deed of gift.

Nielson, Kim. “Helen Keller.”  1875-1929: The New South Era, Encyclopedia of Alabama. Available on Encyclopediaofalabama.org.  

Restrictions:

None.

Copyright: 

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Perkins School for the Blind, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that they are an owner of copyright. 

Credit line/Citation:

AG249 Frederica Devereux Bullene Woodward Helen Keller correspondence. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

Scope and contents:

The collection contains one typewritten letter from Helen Keller to Mrs. Woodward asking for financial support on behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind. The letter documents Keller’s work with the American Foundation for the Blind and the 1950 fundraising efforts to provide services and support for people who were deafblind.

Arrangement:

B1:F1 = Box 1: Folder 1

The collection is arranged in one folder.

Container list: 

Box: 1 

B1:F1: Fundraising letter from Helen Keller to Mrs. Woodward, 1950

Related collections: 

• Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan Collections
• Digitized fundraising letter from Helen Keller to Mrs. Woodward on Flickr.

Provenance:

Donated by Brint Woodward (class of 1992) and his father, Pete Woodward, in June 2023.

Subject headings:

• Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 
• American Foundation for the Blind
• People who are deafblind