Burlington Honors Advocate Anne Connelly with Commemorative Plaque

The city of Burlington has unveiled a plaque honoring Anne Connelly, a pioneering advocate for the blind in Vermont. The ceremony coincided with a march for White Cane Awareness Day and marked the centennial of the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Connelly, born in 1889, was instrumental in surveying residents and establishing educational programs for the blind, including opening the first school for blind individuals in St. Albans in 1912. The plaque also honors her guide dog, Betty, the first registered guide dog in the state. This tribute reflects Vermont's ongoing commitment to accessibility and recognizes the historical efforts that have shaped current support services for the visually impaired community.