Josephine Maher 

Some Distinguished Naugatuck Women
by D. J. Blackwell
Today, and for some years now, “women’s rights” have been getting considerable attention. Because they have won many rights the call for such now is less strident than in the past. Many groups of both sexes have talked much about rights, sometimes forgetting that there are no rights without duties or obligations. This seems to be better understood now than in the past. It used to be said, “A woman’s place is in the home”, but today, many women are effective in the professions, business and other fields. Gradually women have taken a more active role in community and civic affairs. This was true in Naugatuck and it might be worthwhile to consider some of these people and their contributions to life in town.

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After Salem School was completed in 1894 with the lower grades on the lower floors and the high school on the top floor, Josephine Maher was chosen to administer the grammar-school portion because of experience in the Union District School and her excellent reputation as an administrator. During her days at Salem, standards were very high and discipline problems of a serious nature did not exist. Her striking presence may have helped in these matters.

Reference - Naugatuck Historical Society News, September/October 1998