Massachusetts Society for Social Health

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<p xmlns="urn:isbn:1-931666-33-4">The Massachusetts Society for Social Hygiene, founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1915, worked to "help people understand and manage sex in its relation to health, good citizenship, marriage, parenthood and family life." In the early years the Society focused on medical and protective measures to combat venereal diseases but in 1928 reorganized to put greater emphasis on educational activities. Through counseling and discussion groups, lectures, a library and visual aids the Society offered information on marriage and family life, as well as on venereal diseases. MSSH also worked toward the elimination of prostitution and pornography for "the maintenance of wholesome community life and the protection of youth." The Society was affiliated with the American Social Hygiene Association (later the American Social Health Association) and in 1962 followed the lead of the parent organization by changing its name to the Massachusetts Society for Social Health.</p>
<p xmlns="urn:isbn:1-931666-33-4">Many Bostonians served the MSSH as officers, on the Executive Committee and on the Board of Directors. Dorothy W. Miller was Executive Secretary for 22 years (1936-1958) and Maida H. Solomon was vice-president for 28 years (1928-1956). Presidents include:</p>
<list xmlns="urn:isbn:1-931666-33-4">
<item>Dr. Cecil K. Drinker (1928-1929)</item>
<item>Dr. Wilson G. Smillie (1929-1932)</item>
<item>Dr. E. Granville Crabtree (1932-1937)</item>
<item>Dr. William Leroy Fleming (1949-1951)</item>
<item>Dr. Chester North Frazier (1952-1953)</item>
<item>Gilbert H. Roehrig (1954-1956)</item>
<item>Dugald Arbuckle (1956-1959)</item>
<item>Dr. Guy W. Brugler (1959-1965)</item>
</list>
<p xmlns="urn:isbn:1-931666-33-4">Other Executive Secretaries (later Executive Directors) include:</p>
<list xmlns="urn:isbn:1-931666-33-4">
<item>Dr. Helen I.D. McGillicuddy (1928-1930)</item><p>
<item>Frank Kiernan (1930-1936)</item>
<item>William Y. Bell (1958)</item>
<item>H. Frederick Brown (1959-1960)</item>
<item>Rheable M. Edwards (1961-1963)</item>
</list>
<p xmlns="urn:isbn:1-931666-33-4">Among the many prominent members of the Board of Directors were Dr. Nicholas J. Fiumara, Miriam Van Waters and Eva Whiting White.</p>
<citation xmlns="urn:isbn:1-931666-33-4">From the guide to the Papers, 1915-1965, (Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute)</citation>
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