Linda Riesenberg Rakoff’s (’73) Social Work Story

By Linda Riesenberg Rakoff

It was winter 1972, in my second year BUSSW placement, as part of a UAF training program at Children’s Hospital in Boston, I participated in a community project at the Fernald State School as deinstitutionalization was underway. My task was to assist the social worker in preparing women who spent decades unjustly institutionalized for a move to a community residence in Maynard. There they would be living with staff support and working at nearby Digital . There was much to learn about living outside an institution. The things we take for granted became milestones: keeping in touch with friends, shopping and planning meals, even using a mailbox . We visited the house in preparation. They were thrilled to take turns making coffee for our meetings. There was great pride in working and living independently in a real home. As they moved into the house just before Christmas I sought a meaningful gift. I chose wallet sets to symbolize their new independence. As we gathered around the house tree I was moved by their delight. Then they proudly gave me a gift that touched me deeply: a can of hair spray. I had waist length hair. It was the most meaningful gift I’ve ever gotten in my life.