The Winnie Belle Learned Fund was created in 2007 by Dr. Burnett Rawson in honor of Winnie Belle Learned, a Vermonter, educator, and his benefactress. Born in 1863 in Westford, Vermont, despite many personal hardships, Ms. Learned received her teaching certificate, and was a teacher and principal in Massachusetts for many years before returning to her native Vermont in 1911where, with a relative, Jennie Burnett, she operated Cherry Hill Farm in Williston. In 1932, during the Depression, Ms. Learned took notice of Burnett Rawson, a distant relative, and asked his mother’s permission to take him from the family farm in Underhill so that he could study. Her generosity and vision allowed him to attend the University of Vermont and its medical school. After military service and further medical studies, he practiced urology in New York for many years before retiring to his native Vermont.
Dr. Rawson’s goal for Winnie Belle Learned Fund is to help the small public libraries of Vermont foster literacy, love of learning, critical analysis and intellectual exploration in their communities, particularly among children and their families.
Note: To view a PDF file, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader program. This free software, along with instructions on installation and use, is available at Adobe's website: