Senior Lifetime Achievement Awards

Dorotha A Conklin

Slingerlands, NY

DOB: August 9, 1911

Nominated by: Wilma Jenssen

Organization: Westminster Presbyterian Church

 Early Accomplishments: Dorotha (Dot) Meader Conklin was the first and only member in her immediate family to get a college education. She attended four years of high school at Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie, New York on a scholarship and graduated in 1930. She worked during those years doing many varied chores. She also worked her way through college.

 Family : Dot and her husband, A. Carson Conklin, were married 49 years until his death in 1987. There were no children but the union was a very happy one, with much involvement with nieces and nephews and with their work.

Career: Her bachelor of science degree was from University of Vermont in Education in 1934. Her master's degree was from Teachers College, Columbia University in Early Childhood. There was further graduate study at the University of Vermont and Vassar College. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Vermont.

 Mrs. Conklin started as a teacher of three and four year-olds at Vergennes, VT. and later became a Vermont State Supervisor of Nursery Schools. After marriage and moving to New York, Mrs. Conklin began a 30-year career with the New York State Education Department. She started her career as an assistant and steadily progressed until she became the Bureau Chief of the Child Development and Parent Education Bureau. She served as the Bureau Chief for 5 years before she retired in June 1971.

 Volunteer Activities/Middle Years: For over 25 years, she served on the board of the New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers as a professional advisor. She was also a member of other local, state and national organizations, serving on their boards and as an organization officer.

 Volunteer Activities/Senior Years: She was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church Women's Guild for 10 years and served for 3 years as President; Albany Area Red Cross about 6 years; and Resident Greeter at Beverwyck for 3 years where she now resides. (In this capacity, she prepares biographical statements on new residents for the Beverwyck Bulletin.)