Goodwin worked in the Bureau of Indian Affairs from 1937 to 1939 and the Bureau of Agricultural Economics from 1939 to 1942. During World War II Goodwin worked in the Department of Economic Warfare in India. From 1947 to 1951, Goodwin served as a government agricultural economist in Japan. From 1957 to 1969, Goodwin taught economics at the University of Connecticut and served as assistant provost, responsible for institutional research and planning. She retired in 1974.[2]
In 1975, Goodwin was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 54th District. She served five consecutive terms and chaired the House's education committee. While serving in legislature, she led a compromise reorganization of the state's higher education and, in 1979, shepherded a school equalization plan through the legislature, creating new formulas for state educational aid for cities and towns. From 1984 to 1990, Goodwin served on the Connecticut State Board of Education.[1]
Goodwin served on the board of trustees at the Hartford College for Women and the board of regents at the University of Hartford. She was awarded the Connecticut Humanities Council's Wilbur Cross Award in 1991 for distinguished scholarship and public service teaching.[1]
Personal life and legacy
The Dorothy C. Goodwin Elementary School in Mansfield, Connecticut, was named in her honor in 1992.[3]