Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Women

Biographies of Prominent
Utah Deaf Women

Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
2012

Acknowledgements

I am highly indebted to Anne Leahy for her generosity in contributing the collection of particular individuals and inspiriting me to create this “Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Women.”

I would like to thank Doug Stringham for recommending some of the names of deaf women for recognition.

I would like to acknowledge and extend my heartfelt gratitude to Valerie G. Kinney for her vital support by donating her time proofreading this document.

I would also like to express my appreciation and gratitude to Helen Salas-McCarty for donating her time proofreading and editing documents.

I am grateful to Eleanor McCowan for requesting that I work on the Utah Deaf History project. If not for her request, none of this would have happened.

I wish to thank my colleague, James Fenton for recommending me to add a brief summary of each biography.

Much appreciation goes to Duane Kinner, my husband, and my children, Joshua and Danielle, for their support and patience in completing this project.

Without their help, completion of the “Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Women” document would not be possible. Thanks once again.

Why Does The Biographies of
Prominent Utah Deaf Women Matter?

'Rosie The Riveter ("We Can Do It")' by J. Howard Miller

I am passionate about Women's Studies, in particular how Deaf women have impacted their communities. To recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Utah Deaf women’s history, we will learn about and be inspired by Utah Deaf heroines.

It is sufficient to say that Utah Deaf women deserve recognition for their hard work and accomplishments. They also have made significant contributions to the Utah Deaf community as well as promoted Utah’s reputation outside of the state.

Back then, Deaf women struggled to find equality. The lives of Deaf women have not always been easy. Deaf women, too, have come a long way – winning the right to vote, gaining education, obtaining employment, involving themselves in various organizations advocating causes, and much more.

Today many Deaf women still do not have equal opportunities to lead full, productive lives. This document is aimed at empowering Utah Deaf women and inspiring them to be of service to the Utah Deaf community, thereby improving the quality of life for those within the community. See the "Early Utah Women's History" webpage for more information about the hardships and oppressions the women have endured over the years.

As a Deaf LDS feminist inspired by an iconic poster of Rosie the Riveter during World War II, I hope the role models in this document inspire Deaf women to become future leaders of the Utah Deaf community, as well as at the national level.

Dr. Karen Christie, a retired professor emeritus at NTID/RIT, who has taught English, Deaf Women Studies, and ASL & Deaf literature, amateur historian, and author, has created a “Deaf Women History” website. If you are interested in reading more information about the general Deaf women history, you can go to her website to learn more about it.

My hat is off to Utah Deaf women for their persistence and determination to lead a good life and to make the world a better place for others.

Jodi Becker Kinner

“When women's true history shall have been written,
her part in the upbuilding of this nation will astound the world.”
~Abigail Dunaway~

Note

Religion is mentioned in this biography document because Utah is home to a rich history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and its influence on the Utah Deaf community is significant. Other religions are also included, as not all individuals who are part of the biographies are affiliated with the LDS Church.

It is my hope that family members of the subjects of these biographies will find this information helpful for historical preservation and genealogy research purpose. Additionally, it can help preserve the biography's life story for future generations to appreciate and remember.

Elizabeth DeLong

Elizabeth DeLong. Courtesy of FamilySerach

Utah is honored to have Elizabeth DeLong, known as “Libbie,” who has many firsts. She was the first Deaf student from Utah to enter Gallaudet College in 1897 and first Deaf female Utah college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in 1902. She was also the first in the family to complete her college education. She was the first Deaf teacher with a degree to teach at the Utah School for the Deaf and was the first Deaf female to be called as Superintendent of the Sunday School for the Ogden Branch for the Deaf. At the Utah Association of the Deaf convention in 1909, Libbie became the first Deaf female president of the association by beating two Deaf male candidates – and this was before the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920 and before Deaf women were first allowed to vote in the National Association of the Deaf election in 1964. Lastly, she was also the first Deaf woman National Association of the Deaf state chapter association president in the entire nation.

After serving a second term as UAD president, Libbie gave a talk about women’s suffrage at the UAD Convention in 1915.

In October 2019, Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind announced that the new Deaf School in Springville, Utah will be named after Elizabeth DeLong. The school opened on January 6, 2020. It is a great way to honor her legacy. It may have been possible that the early Utah’s suffrage movement influenced Libbie to achieve her educational, political, and spiritual aspirations.

Looking back, Libbie was the first in many of her accomplishments and she has inspired people both in her time and today. Utah is fortunate to have her as an inspirational leader on behalf of the Utah Deaf community.

Biography of Elizabeth DeLong (PDF)

Elizabeth DeLong. The DeLong Family Saga (PDF)

Elizabeth DeLong. Better Days 2020 (Website)

Elsie M. Christiansen

Elsie M. Christiansen.

Elsie M. Christiansen graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in 1907. After graduation, she taught history and social studies at the school. When houseparents became an integral part of the USD, Elsie also became a houseparent at Driggs Hall, a girls’ dormitory. She served in many capacities at the Ogden Branch for the Deaf, the Utah School for the Deaf, and the Utah Association of the Deaf. She was quite capable as a community leader, and she achieved much for Deaf causes. As branch clerk for the Ogden Branch for the Deaf, Elsie had excellent writing skills. She served 28 years as a branch clerk. She was the first and only Deaf woman who ever served as a clerk.

Photo courtesy of the Utah Eagle, June 6, 1907

Biography of Elsie M. Christiansen (PDF)

Mary Wooslayer

Mary Wooslayer.

Mary Wooslayer was the first Deaf female student to enter the University of Utah in 1910 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1916. Most of her classes were lecture courses. Through her determination, she managed to pass all her courses, earning more credits than many other members of her graduating class. In domestic science, she earned the distinction of being first in a class of nearly a hundred students. After graduation, Mary taught Deaf schools in Texas, Virginia, and Kentucky.

Photo courtesy of the Utah Eagle, June 6, 1907

Biography of Mary Wooslayer (PDF)

Emma M. Emmertson

Emma M. Emmertson

In 1903, at age 15, Emma M. Emmertson enrolled at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah and graduated in 1907. Four years later, Emma became the second Deaf student to enter the University of Utah. She began her studies in 1911 and graduated in 1917 with a kindergarten teaching credential. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Emma taught in Salt Lake City, Utah, for a short time. Then, she moved to Wyoming to teach at the Wyoming School for the Deaf. Emma was a suffragette during the Women’s Rights Movement in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Photo courtesy of the Utah Eagle, June 6, 1907

Biography of Emma M. Emmertson (PDF)

Justina W. Keeley

Justina W. Keeley.

Justina W. Keeley was a member of Salt Lake City Division No. 56 of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf (NFSD). This division began in 1916 soon after she visited her home state of Missouri and learned about the NFSD. She brought word back to Utah about a new insurance organization of the deaf, by the deaf, and for the deaf. Her discovery was likely bittersweet, given that women would be denied full membership in the NFSD for another 35 years. It was not until 1951 at the convention in Chicago, Illinois, that the NFSD agreed to give women regular insurance membership.

Photo courtesy of Salt Lake City Division No. 56, October 15, 1966

Biography of Justina W. Keeley (PDF)

Afton Curtis Burdett

Afton Curtis Burdett graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1933 and enrolled at Gallaudet College. Once there, she worked as a maid to the college president, Percival Hall, for several months.

While teaching the auxiliary classes at Utah School for the Deaf and raising two children, Afton decided to return to college (She dropped out of Gallaudet to marry Kenneth C. Burdett, USD & Gallaudet alumni). She enrolled at Weber State College (later renamed Weber State University) where, in 1956, she became the first Deaf student to receive an Associate of Science degree. After completing her degree, she continued her education at Utah State University (USU). She was the first Deaf person at USU to complete a bachelor’s degree, which she did with honors. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with an English minor on June 6, 1959.

Biography of Afton Curtis Burdett (PDF)

Valerie G. Kinney

As of 2014, Valerie G. Kinney has been serving the Utah Association for the Deaf (UAD) for more than 40 years, starting in 1967. She has long made contributions to the Deaf community through her work with the UAD (UAD Bulletin, July 2011). She has served as vice president, secretary, assistant treasurer, treasurer, UAD Bulletin editor, UAD Announce moderator, and on countless committees of the Utah Association for the Deaf. Valerie, as a Utah Deaf woman is the longest serving member of the association.

Biography of Valerie G. Kinney (PDF)

Celia May Baldwin

During Celia May Baldwin’s senior year at Gallaudet College, she was chosen as general chairwoman of the 1970 Junior NAD Convention at Gallaudet College. It hosted 200 student delegates and faculty sponsors. As chairwoman, she came up with a variety of ideas and plans for producing future leaders. In 1970, Celia May was appointed to the new Board of Fellows of Gallaudet College. She was the only female member of the board. Outside of her work, Celia May was a young woman of many talents and interests, which she had time to pursue as she raised her two young children. Celia May was very involved with Division #56 of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, Utah Association for the Deaf and many other organizations. She thrived on serving others and was involved in this respect not only locally, but statewide and nationally. Ten years after the Deaf President Now Protest at Gallaudet University, Gallaudet President I. King Jordan appointed Celia May to Gallaudet's Board of Trustees on December 2, 1998. Over the years, Celia May has indeed had an illustrious career and has accomplished much in her long service within the Deaf community.

Photo courtesy of the UAD Bulletin, Fall 1969

Biography of Celia May Baldwin (PDF)

Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz

After the Bi-Bi Committee of the Utah Association for the Deaf, chaired by Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz had been working several months in search of a worthy educational program for deaf children in Utah: two leaders emerged: Minnie Mae and Jeff Allen, a hearing parent with a Deaf daughter. In 1999, Minnie Mae co-founded Jean Massieu School of the Deaf (JMS), an ASL/English bilingual program, as a public charter school in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her presence can be felt when Deaf and hard of hearing students are given an option to attend JMS, where they have direct communication with their teachers and instruction in American Sign Language.

Biography of Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz (PDF)

Marilyn T. Call

In 1989, Marilyn T. Call was hired as the first Director of the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities (LCPD). As director, she strengthened the membership of LCPD, developed advocate-training workshops throughout the State of Utah, and conducted ongoing public awareness activities. She had impressive lobbying skills and worked persistently with the Utah State Legislature to expand programs, services and resources for people with disabilities for many, many years. She lobbied for all sorts of issues for people with disabilities including funding for Rehabilitation, Special Education, and Division of Services for People with Disabilities. Additionally, in 1991, she lobbied in support of the new building for the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Taylorsville, Utah. Her passion and work with deaf divisions began because of her daughters; she wanted them to have the best and fullest lives possible. In 2003, Marilyn, as the director of Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, spearheaded the effort for the community center to be named after Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, in recognition of his efforts in behalf of the Deaf community.

Biography of Marilyn T. Call (PDF)

Shirley H. Platt

Shirley H. Platt was a long-time leader and womens’ advocate in the Deaf sports world. In May 1988, Shirley was the first Deaf woman to be elected secretary-treasurer in the American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD). On May 1, 1991, Shirley became the first and only executive director of AAAD. Shirley was editor-in-chief of the “AAAD Deaf Sports Review” magazine and “Inside AAAD." She subsequently made her way up through the ranks at the club, region and national levels. One of her most important contributions to Deaf sports may be that she “stood steadfast promoting Deaf women into Deaf sports."

Biography of Shirley H. Platt (PDF)

Elise Whitworth

Elise Withworth

In 2014, Elise Whitworth, Deaf and Gallaudet graduate, ’98 was selected as the first Deaf woman of Utah’s 30 Women to Watch by Utah Business magazine. Utah is fortunate to have a Deaf person like Elise as an example of excellent business management and leadership.

Photo courtesy of the Utah Business Magazine

Biography of Elise Withworth (PDF)

Ellen Noelle O'Hara

Ellen O'Hara

Ellen Noelle O’Hara graduated from the Indiana School for the Deaf in 2003 and was accepted at Brigham Young University (BYU) in the following year. Before college started, Ellen participated in the UAD pageant and was crowned Miss Deaf Utah. She held that title for two years. She attended BYU for that year and then transferred to Utah State University to launch into their Deaf Education degree. She received her Master of Education degree in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education in May 2009. She immediately got a teaching job at the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf. Ellen was an active Deaf community leader. She brought her leadership skills into her many volunteer activities. She participated in the functions of the Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador Program and Utah Association of the Deaf. Ellen was also an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and regularly shared her love of the Lord by both example and teaching. She tragically lost her life in a car accident on July 1, 2016. Ellen had made a significant impact on the Utah Deaf community through selfless contributions of time and service.

Biography of Ellen Noelle O'Hara (PDF)

Four Memorials Set Up for Ellen O'Hara (PDF)

Dr. Karen Christie, known as KC, a professor emeritus at NTID/RIT, who has taught English, Deaf Women Studies, and ASL & Deaf literature, filmed Ellen O'Hara at a De'VIA retreat in Kansas for the ASL Curriculum group. After Ellen passed, KC posted this brief video of her. KC just loves the pride Ellen exhibits about her new position.

Millicent "Millie" Simmonds

Millicent Simmonds @ Famedstar.com

While auditioning for a deaf actress to cast a young Rose for the “Wonderstruck” movie, over 250 tapes were submitted. Millicent Simmonds, known as “Millie,” and Utah native, won a breakout role as a young Rose for the “Wonderstruck” movie. She was only 13 years old. Millie loves to be in theater, and she loves acting. When “Wonderstruck” movie was produced in New York City in 2016. Basically, the novel, ‘Wonderstruck’ is about what it is like to be Deaf in a hearing world. It was Millie’s first time acting on the big screen. Without any major film credits to her name, it was a huge accomplishment for a young Deaf girl.

Millie also starred in another movie named, "A Quiet Place."

Biography of Millicent Simmonds (PDF)