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Salsberg, Dora Wilensky
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 92; Series 1; File 1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 92
- Series
- 1
- File
- 1
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Date
- 1924-1954
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 6 photographs : b&w ; 25 x 20 cm or smaller
- Admin History/Bio
- Dora Wilensky Salsberg was one of Toronto’s earliest professionally trained Jewish social workers and a leader in the Canadian social work field. She was born in Russia on 28 July 1902 to Hyman and Mary Wilensky. She had three younger sisters: Bertha (b. 1903) Jenny (b. 1905), and Fagel (b.1910). In 1907, the family immigrated to Toronto where Hyman worked at a cap factory.
- Dora had the highest marks in the province of Ontario upon graduating from high school and graduated as a gold medalist in modern history from McMaster University in Toronto. She initially pursued a career in teaching but had difficulty securing a job due to discrimination. When her only job offer from Oshawa was given on the condition that she change her last name, Dora decided become a social worker.
- After studying at the New York School for Social Work and working briefly in Chicago, Dora returned to Toronto and took up the position as executive director of the Jewish Family Welfare Bureau in 1931. When the JF&CS was formed in 1943 she served as its first executive director. Under her leadership, JF&CS gained a reputation as being one of the most advanced and progressive agencies in Toronto. She was among the first to hire a psychiatric social worker and to introduce play therapy as part of treatment; she remained on top of advances being made in the field in other countries and encouraged her staff to regularly engage in professional development activities.
- Dora was also actively involved in various professional organizations. She was a member of the National Board of the Canadian Association of Social Workers, served on the board of governors and various committees of the Canadian Welfare Council, and was active on the Social Planning Council (formerly the Welfare Council of Toronto). In addition, she was instrumental in the establishment of the University of Toronto’s post-graduate course in social work. For her service to the field, she earned both the King George V and Coronation Medals.
- Around 1925, Dora married J.B. Salsberg. Although she legally adopted his name, she always used her maiden name professionally. They did not have any children. On 20 March 1959, Dora passed away from cancer at the age of fifty-six.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of records documenting the life and activities of J.B. Salsberg's wife, Dora Wilensky. Included is a graduation portrait of Dora, a photograph of Dora likely standing outside of McMaster Hall on graduation day, a photograph of Dora standing near a lake (ca. 1940), professional portraits of Dora, an I.L. Peretz School graduation book, correspondence regarding the death of Dora's mother, and a newsletter of the Canadian Welfare Council of Ontario.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions