Biographies of Prominent
Utah Interpreters
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
2012
2012
Madelaine Burton (Interpreter) & Robert Sanderson (Deaf), 1972
Prior to the late 1950’s and 1960’s, there were no sign language classes or interpreter preparation programs (Humphrey & Alcorn, 2001). It was common for Children of Deaf Adults, known as CODAs, to serve out of the goodness of their hearts as interpreters for the Utah Deaf community in their occasional events, appointments, meetings, church activities, and etc. Beth Ann Stewart Campbell a Utah native, CODA, and former director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf noted that for years, the interpreters, particularly CODAs, volunteered to interpret for Deaf people until the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) was formed in 1965 (Stewart, UAD Bulletin, June 1973). During the 1960’s and 1970’s revolutionary period, some minority groups across the nation attempted to get social equality in society at large and it was a critical time to expand the field of sign language interpreting (Humphrey & Alcorn, 2001). With the impact of the RID climate change, particularly the Code of Ethics (now called the Code of Professional Conduct), the role of interpreters eventually changed from “helper” to professionals.
Besides the CODA interpreters, the Utah Deaf community also leaned heavily on hard of hearing people who learned their language before utilizing hearing aids, and those who had lost their hearing later had acquired good oral speech. In Utah by 1961, the percentage of those who became deaf later started to decrease while the percentage of those who were born Deaf started to increase. In addition, the proportion of deaf with multiple disabilities was increasing (UAD Bulletin, Spring 1961, p. 2). This impacted the need of interpreting service among the members of the Utah Deaf community. They could no longer depend on those hard of hearing individuals to interpret whenever needed. It was obviously time to form the RID organization to meet their interpreting needs.
Besides the CODA interpreters, the Utah Deaf community also leaned heavily on hard of hearing people who learned their language before utilizing hearing aids, and those who had lost their hearing later had acquired good oral speech. In Utah by 1961, the percentage of those who became deaf later started to decrease while the percentage of those who were born Deaf started to increase. In addition, the proportion of deaf with multiple disabilities was increasing (UAD Bulletin, Spring 1961, p. 2). This impacted the need of interpreting service among the members of the Utah Deaf community. They could no longer depend on those hard of hearing individuals to interpret whenever needed. It was obviously time to form the RID organization to meet their interpreting needs.
Doris Wastlund interpreting the classroom, 1972
By the time the Utah Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (URID) was formed in 1968, the founders were primarily people with Deaf family members. Several Deaf individuals, who were long time leaders of the Utah Deaf community, also joined the organization. Eventually, through the interpreter preparation programs, our current UTRID is filled with certified, professional interpreters.
Today, the interpreter training programs have expanded and the demands for interpreters are still high. Those interested in the interpreting profession have options to get a formal training through the Utah Interpreter Programs housed at Robert G. Sanderson Community Center, Salt Lake Community College, Utah Valley University, Davis Applied Technology College (The ASL interpreting program is closed) and Utah State University. The VRS Interpreting Institute (VRSII) housed at Sorensen Communications also provides training for continuing-education needs of recent interpreting graduates, seasoned interpreters and interpreter educators.
Ultimately, I wish to acknowledge the interpreters who are mentioned in their biography for their exceptional dedication and extraordinary contributions to the interpreting profession as well as to the Utah deaf community. They were our true advocates helping to promote passage of laws recognizing American Sign Language as an official language in Utah and requiring interpreter certification and the creation of Utah Interpreter Program.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Today, the interpreter training programs have expanded and the demands for interpreters are still high. Those interested in the interpreting profession have options to get a formal training through the Utah Interpreter Programs housed at Robert G. Sanderson Community Center, Salt Lake Community College, Utah Valley University, Davis Applied Technology College (The ASL interpreting program is closed) and Utah State University. The VRS Interpreting Institute (VRSII) housed at Sorensen Communications also provides training for continuing-education needs of recent interpreting graduates, seasoned interpreters and interpreter educators.
Ultimately, I wish to acknowledge the interpreters who are mentioned in their biography for their exceptional dedication and extraordinary contributions to the interpreting profession as well as to the Utah deaf community. They were our true advocates helping to promote passage of laws recognizing American Sign Language as an official language in Utah and requiring interpreter certification and the creation of Utah Interpreter Program.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Lucy McMills Greenwood
Lucy McMills Greenwood
Lucy McMills Greenwood had more than 40 years of interpreting services to the deaf, especially the Ogden Branch for the Deaf. She was a well-known interpreter and was among the first certified professional interpreters in the nation. She was a member of Utah Association for the Deaf and the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Lucy was a true advocate for the deaf. There is truly not enough space to include all her volunteer work. With Lucy’s busy schedule raising a large family, she is commended for her continued outstanding dedication to the field of sign language interpreting and her volunteer commitment in giving back to the Deaf community.
Biography of Lucy McMills Greenwood (PDF)
Biography of Lucy McMills Greenwood (PDF)
Beth Ann Stewart Campbell
Beth Ann Stewart Campbell
In 1965, Beth Ann Stewart Campbell had the distinction of being the first nationally certified interpreter in Utah and the United States. From then on, she was a pioneer in the interpreting field. She was the first hearing female to be voted as member of the Utah Association for the Deaf Board of Directors. She was also the first interpreter to develop the concept of co-therapist (interpreting for both psychiatrist and patient). In 1985, Beth Ann became the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah. For years, she went extra mile to provide exceptional service to the communities. Additionally, she made an impact on deaf-related services and interpreting structures. The Utah Deaf community as well as the Utah interpreting community are very fortunate to gain recognition through Beth Ann as our first nationally certified interpreter in Utah and United States.
Biography of Beth Ann Stewart Campbell (PDF)
Biography of Beth Ann Stewart Campbell (PDF)
Jean Greenwood Thomas
Jean Greenwood Thomas
Jean Greenwood Thomas, a daughter of Lucy Greenwood, sign language interpreter and ASL teacher, was on the 1993 State Legislature Study Group to recognize interpreter state certification through a formal interpreter training program and recognize ASL as a foreign language in school settings. She even pushed for high school programs to have rules and regulations to prevent just anyone off the street from teaching ASL without appropriate credentials. Behind the scenes during the 1994 Utah Legislative session, she had network access to the key people from the 1993 State Legislature Study Group and played a huge role advocating Senate Bill 41, to certify interpreters and the Senate Bill 42, to give American Sign Language the same status as a foreign language. As a result, both bills were enacted.
Biography of Jean Greenwood Thomas (PDF)
Biography of Jean Greenwood Thomas (PDF)
Annette Thorup Tull
Annette Tull
In the fall of 1990, Annette Tull set up the first interpreting training program at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. While Annette served in multiple roles working as a Sign Language interpreter, interpreter instructor and American Sign Language teacher, she actively participated in the political process to support the Senate Bill 41, to certify interpreters and the Senate Bill 42, to give American Sign Language the same status as a foreign language. As a result, both bills were enacted in 1994. Annette is credited for advocating the Deaf community in expanding the interpreting programs and recognizing American Sign Language as a foreign language.
Biography of Annette Tull (PDF)
Biography of Annette Tull (PDF)