Chapter 9
Deaf Leaders
Robert Davila was selected by George H.W. Bush to become the Assistant Secretary of Education, the highest government position ever held a deaf person. He also served as the ninth president of Gallaudet College.
Marilyn J. Smith is founder and executive director of the non-profit ADWAS. Today the program has been replicated in 15 cities.
King Jordan lost his hearing after a motorcycle accident as a young adult. Was the eighth president of Gallaudet College.
Ben Soukup founded the communication Service for the deaf as a part of the South Dakota Association of the Deaf
Andrew Foster lost his hearing at the age of 11 first known African American to graduate from Gallaudet College and Eastern Michigan College. Went to Africa and established more than 30 schools for deaf children.
Ruth Seeger not only started the girls athletic program at the school but also coached many of her proteges to participate in world competitions. She was the first deaf female to be inducted into the USA Deaf Sports Federation Hall of Fame.
Frederick Schreiber (1922-1979) lost his hearing at the age of 6. Is remembered for his fights and advocacy for deaf peoples rights.
Robert and Michelle Smithdas, both deaf-blind. Robert lost his hearing and sight at the age of four from and illness. Michelle lost her sight her senior year at Gallaudet College. Both later became affiliated with HKNC
Deaf Contributors
Deaf Firsts
Deaf Entrepreneurs
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) lost his hearing at the age of 14. Invented the light bulb and obtained a total of 1097 US patents under his name
John Gregg (1867-`1948) was the brainchild of shorthand writing
Juliette Gordon Low (1860-1927) lost her hearing at the age of 20 founded the Girl Scouts
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770- 1827) lost his hearing at the age of 30 was an internationally renowned musician
Nanette Fabray (1920- ) well known comedian, singer, dancer, and actress. One of the early advocates for the rights of deaf and hard of hearing.
Steve Baldwin wrote "Pictures in the Air: The Story of the National Theatre of the Deaf"
Mark Drolsbaugh published "Deaf Again", "On the Fence: Hidden World of the Hard of Hearing", and "The One Hundred Dollar Hearing Aid Battery"
Jack Gannon wrote"Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America", "The Week the the World Heard Gallaudet", and "History Through Deaf Eyes".
Christy Smith first deaf woman to appear on a TV series
Erastus Smith first deaf soldier to spy against Mexico in 1821
William Hoy first deaf Major League baseball player
Eugene Hairston first black deaf professional middle weight boxer
Luke Adams first deaf person to participate in the the Amazing Race TV series
Thomas Coughlin first deaf Catholic man to become a priest
Nellie Willhite first deaf female pilot
Betty Lou Beets first deaf person to be executed. She was sentenced to die by lethal injection for the murder of her fifth husband
Boyce Williams first deaf person to serve in the U.S. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Heather Whitestone first deaf female to be crowned Miss America
Ken Glickman published "Deafinitions and More Deafinitions
Roy K. Holcomb wrote "Hazards of Deafness"and "Silence is Golden Sometimes"
Raymond Luczak wrote "Men with Their Hands"
Damara Goff owner of a publishing company Pairs Publications
Maxwell Schneider published "Do You Hear Me"
Bernice Signleton wrote "Signs of Courage: Deaf Survivors of Breast Cancer"
David Birnbaum Interpreting Services
Charles Crowe owner of nine-hole golf course in Morganton, North Carolina
Joe Dannis founded DawnSignPress in San Diego with a focus on ALS and Deaf culture publications
Bob Harris created a internet and mail order business that sells various hearing loss equipment, novelties and books/DVDs
James Macfadden owned Macfadden and Associates, a computer consulting firm
Myrna Orleck- Aiello ownsTechnical Computer Services designs and repairs computer systems and provides assistive technology in the federal government
Louis Schwarz's Schwarz Financial Services provides financial planning and tax preparation services
Trudy Suggs a prolific Writer established T.S. Writing Services in 2003 and provides writing, editing, and design service in ALS and English