Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz,
Co-Founder of the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf
Written By Jodi Becker Kinner
Published in 2021
Updated in 2024
Published in 2021
Updated in 2024
Author's Note
Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz, the JMS Co-Founder
Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz, also known as MM, is a highly respected figure in the Deaf community. She is the spouse of Julio Diaz, who is also Deaf, and a proud parent of three grown Deaf children: Briella, Julio "Tres," and Isabelle. Minnie Mae was born into a Deaf family, and her parents, Jerry Willing and Caldonia Della Williams, played a significant role in shaping her appreciation of Deaf culture and literacy. Throughout her career, Minnie Mae has shared her knowledge and skills in ASL linguistics by teaching at various postsecondary institutions. She also co-founded the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf in 1999 and Utah Valley University's Deaf Studies Today! Conference in 2004. In addition to her many accomplishments, Minnie Mae has also translated The Book of Mormon into ASL.
Bronwyn O'Hara, a Deaf Education Advocate and parent of Deaf children
During her graduate studies at Brigham Young University, Minnie Mae wrote two impactful papers titled "Why the Deaf Can't Read: Answers and Solutions" and "Exciting Developments in Deaf Education." These papers have been instrumental in shaping the discourse around deaf education. We appreciate Bronwyn O'Hara, a parent of three Deaf children and a Deaf education advocate, for her dedication to preserving these invaluable research papers.
- Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz. Why the Deaf Can’t Read: Answers and Solutions. Brigham Young University. May 8, 1990.
- Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz. Exciting Developments in Deaf Education. Summer 1990.
The photos of Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz
and her family are shown below:
and her family are shown below:
The Wilding Family. Top (L-R): Minnie Mae, Doris, Lisa Lili, Cami and Ida. Bottom (L-R): Alan, Don, Della, Jerry, Terry and Sammy, 2011
Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz teaching a class Utah Valley State College, mid 2000s
I have had the privilege of working alongside Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz, who is a passionate advocate for ASL/English bilingual education. As a parent of Deaf children, I have seen her manage the leadership responsibilities of the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf while also parenting three small Deaf children, working full-time, and dealing with her declining health. Despite all these challenges, she remained dedicated to her mission. In 2005, Minnie Mae played a crucial role in the merger of the Utah School for the Deaf and the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf. This process was difficult, time-consuming, and required extensive planning, but her commitment and careful consideration helped make it a success.
In addition, Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz's exceptional work, in collaboration with the school board, administration, teachers, and the wider community, has had a significant impact on the lives of Deaf and hard of hearing students. Thanks to their steadfast efforts, the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf now offers these students an accessible educational experience, allowing them to engage in direct communication and receive education in ASL from their teachers and peers. This collaborative effort has also created a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for these students, demonstrating Minnie Mae's unwavering commitment to their well-being and success.
Minnie Mae was inspired by the 1997 Utah Deaf Bilingual and Bicultural Conference and was eager to contribute when elected chair of the Bi-Bi Committee. In her 1990 paper, "Exciting Developments in Deaf Education," she shared her enthusiasm and admiration for the Indiana School for the Deaf for adopting a bilingual-bicultural approach. It's no surprise that she would eventually become a JMS co-founder. Her passion was evident from the start, paving the way to co-founding the successful Jean Massieu School of the Deaf in 1999. The Jean Massieu School of the Deaf continues to operate, providing Deaf students with access to both ASL and English on campus, empowering them to thrive and succeed. Thanks to Minnie Mae's dedication and steadfast leadership, JMS has been in operation since 1999.
I had the pleasure of working with Minnie Mae and her husband, Julio, to navigate the complexities of deaf education in Utah. I will always be grateful for her mentorship during my early years in this field, as she guided and supported me through the political system. Minnie Mae's contributions to the field of deaf education have been invaluable, and her legacy continues to inspire and empower others to this day.
Thank you, Minnie Mae!
Jodi Becker Kinner
In addition, Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz's exceptional work, in collaboration with the school board, administration, teachers, and the wider community, has had a significant impact on the lives of Deaf and hard of hearing students. Thanks to their steadfast efforts, the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf now offers these students an accessible educational experience, allowing them to engage in direct communication and receive education in ASL from their teachers and peers. This collaborative effort has also created a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for these students, demonstrating Minnie Mae's unwavering commitment to their well-being and success.
Minnie Mae was inspired by the 1997 Utah Deaf Bilingual and Bicultural Conference and was eager to contribute when elected chair of the Bi-Bi Committee. In her 1990 paper, "Exciting Developments in Deaf Education," she shared her enthusiasm and admiration for the Indiana School for the Deaf for adopting a bilingual-bicultural approach. It's no surprise that she would eventually become a JMS co-founder. Her passion was evident from the start, paving the way to co-founding the successful Jean Massieu School of the Deaf in 1999. The Jean Massieu School of the Deaf continues to operate, providing Deaf students with access to both ASL and English on campus, empowering them to thrive and succeed. Thanks to Minnie Mae's dedication and steadfast leadership, JMS has been in operation since 1999.
I had the pleasure of working with Minnie Mae and her husband, Julio, to navigate the complexities of deaf education in Utah. I will always be grateful for her mentorship during my early years in this field, as she guided and supported me through the political system. Minnie Mae's contributions to the field of deaf education have been invaluable, and her legacy continues to inspire and empower others to this day.
Thank you, Minnie Mae!
Jodi Becker Kinner
Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz' Family. Front Row L-R: Julio Diaz, Jr., Minnie Mae, Isabelle, Briella. Back Row: Tres, 2012
