Utah Deaf Women's History
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2020
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2020
Note
Because women are marginalized socially, economically, professionally, and politically, I feel it's important to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of early Utah Deaf women’s accomplishment throughout history. We will briefly learn about the Utah Deaf women's achievement, especially in terms of leadership. It's a great way to remember and honor their legacy. Lastly, we will identify the history/leadership on gender equality and strategies for developing leadership in politics.
Deaf Women's Conference in Utah
W. David Mortensen, UAD President
The Deaf Women's Conference was held at International Dunes Hotel on October 6, 1979 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference was sponsored by the Utah Association for the Deaf under the leadership of President W. David Mortensen. It was planned by a committee comprised of Lois Jones, chairperson, and Celia May Baldwin, Darlene Stewart Cochran, and Ilene Coles Kinner. Over 80 women, ages 18 to 80 were in attendance.
L-R: Darlane Stewart Cochran, Ilene Coles Kinner, Lois Jones, & Celia May Baldwin
Dr. Gertrude Scott Galloway, the women's rights advocate & 1st female NAD President
Dr. Gertrude Scott Galloway, a Deaf women’s rights advocate and the first woman to be elected president of the National Association of the Deaf, delivered keynote speech outlining the women’s rights and the effect on credit cards, salaries and surnames. She even cited the Gallaudet College’s first female Gallaudet College graduate of 1893, Agatha Tiegel Hanson, when she her graduation speech, “New Horizons For Deaf Women” – even before the Women’s Suffrage (The Deaf American, February 6, 1980).
New Horizons For Deaf Women
"Women should be free as the air to learn what she will and do devote her life to whatever vocation seems good to her…It is true that we have made a start in the right direction. But that start has been made very recently, and it is too early to pass sentence on the results." ~ Agatha Tiegel Hanson
Agatha Tiegel Hanson @ Gallaudet University Archives
Agatha Tiegel Hanson was the first female graduate and valedictorian of Gallaudet College and early champion of both deaf & women's rights.
Workshops featured Beth Ann Campbell, CODA and well-known local interpreter, and Nancy R. Rarus, a Deaf Rights advocate. Campbell talked about topics that were close to anyone’s heart - sex, family, and money. Rarus expounded on leadership in women and focused her talk on the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, which was later proposed during the 1980 Utah Legislative session (The Deaf American, February 6, 1980).
Attendees enjoyed the conference so much that there was talk of having another women’s conference next year. One husband said his wife came home happy after the conference and that he’d gladly pay $9.00 to have her go every week! (The Deaf American, February 6, 1980).
Since Hanson’s speech in 1893, women’s growth and opportunities were obviously significant many years ago up to today. They have moved in the right direction to achieve that vision (The Deaf American, February 6, 1980). We are ready to “pass on sentence on the results,” yet we still have a long way to go to achieve and realize equal opportunities for women and girls.
Attendees enjoyed the conference so much that there was talk of having another women’s conference next year. One husband said his wife came home happy after the conference and that he’d gladly pay $9.00 to have her go every week! (The Deaf American, February 6, 1980).
Since Hanson’s speech in 1893, women’s growth and opportunities were obviously significant many years ago up to today. They have moved in the right direction to achieve that vision (The Deaf American, February 6, 1980). We are ready to “pass on sentence on the results,” yet we still have a long way to go to achieve and realize equal opportunities for women and girls.
Nancy Rarus, Gertrude Galloway & Beth Ann Campbell, hands making a female symbol shape @ The Deaf American
Female Symbol @ clipart-library.com
Utah Deaf Women's Conference attendees
1994 Deaf Women's
Conference in Utah
Kristi Mortensen
Fifteen years later, October 21-21, 1994, the Deaf Women's Conference was held at Salt Lake Community College. Chaired by Kristi Mortensen, local Deaf feminist, the theme of the conference was "Towards the 21st Century: An Exciting Journey." Dr. Barbara Brauer, a pioneer in the field of Deaf Mental Health, was the keynote speaker. Dr. Petra M. Horn-Marsh, Deaf Bilingual advocate, gave a presentation about the history of Deaf women’s struggles and accomplishments. During the workshop sessions, Dr. Brauer gave a talk, “Women and Violence” while another presenter, Dr. Lawrence Fleischer, CSUN Deaf Studies professor, gave a presentation, “The Enhanced Image of a Deaf Woman-Amee Mathews.”
Generally, women are recognized as a minority group. Although women nationwide now outnumber men in college education and workforce, they are still treated as a minority. As a result, this put Deaf women into a smaller minority group. In other words, they may be doubly discriminated (The Deaf American, February 6, 1980). Up to today, Deaf women are still struggling to achieve equal opportunities to lead full, productive lives.
Generally, women are recognized as a minority group. Although women nationwide now outnumber men in college education and workforce, they are still treated as a minority. As a result, this put Deaf women into a smaller minority group. In other words, they may be doubly discriminated (The Deaf American, February 6, 1980). Up to today, Deaf women are still struggling to achieve equal opportunities to lead full, productive lives.
Dr. Petra M. Horn-Marsh
On many levels, Utah is the lowest state in the nation for women (i.e. gender inequality pay gap, fewer Utah women complete their college education, challenging to climb the economic ladder, and more). Consequently, Deaf women experience double oppression in society due to communication barriers. Despite what the Deaf women have been though, they deserve recognition for breaking down barriers and achieving incredible success in life, education and career. Many examples can be found in the “Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Women’s” webpage.
Deaf Women's Conference in Utah, 1994
Utah Deaf Women Who Made a
Difference in the Deaf Community
Elizabeth DeLong. 1st Female President of the Utah Association of the Deaf. Courtesy of FamilySearch
In late 1800s and early 1900s, many women in Utah were progressive in achieving their educational and career goals as well as promoting political goals while practicing pologamy. They were activists, physicians, educators, professors, writers, and politicians (Brooks, Steenblik & Wheelwright, 2016). As for Deaf women in Utah, it may have been possible that the Utah's suffrage movement influenced them to achieve their educational and political aspirations at the time. For example, Elizabeth DeLong, known as Libbie, made history in becoming the first Deaf female president of the Utah Association of the Deaf in 1909 by beating two Deaf male candidates – This is notable, as women were not granted the right to vote for decade until the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920 and Deaf women members were not allowed to vote in the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) election until 1964. She was also the first Deaf female NAD 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.
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.
Emma M. Emmertson @ The Utah Eagle, June 6, 1907
Emma M. Emmertson was a Deaf suffragette during the Women’s Rights Movement in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
Mary Wooslayer was the first Deaf female student to enter the University of Utah in 1910 who graduated with a bachelor’s degree. While a student, Mary was under the sponsorship of Maud May Babcock, a member of the Utah School for the Deaf board of trustees and a faculty member at the University of Utah (Mary Woolslayer Photograph Collection, 1890).
Mary Wooslayer @ The Utah Eagle, June 6, 1907
Justina W. Keeley @ Salt Lake City Division No. 56, October 15, 1966
Since the establishment of Gallaudet College in 1864, women couldn’t attend college until 1887 (US History Encyclopedia: Gallaudet University). Since the founding of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf (NFSD) in 1901, women, including Justina W. Keeley were denied admission to the organization and full memberships. They were not allowed to purchase a regular insurance membership as men. It was not until 1951 that the NFSD agreed that women could receive regular insurance membership during the NFSD convention in Chicago, Illinois (Records of National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, 1900-2006).
Did You Know?
Our local prominent Deaf leader, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, NAD president from 1964-68, allowed Deaf women members to vote and Black Deaf individuals to become members as well as to vote in 1964.
Our local prominent Deaf leader, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, NAD president from 1964-68, allowed Deaf women members to vote and Black Deaf individuals to become members as well as to vote in 1964.
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson @ Gallaudet University Archives
Finally, over 100 years since 1915, Kim Lucas Smith made history by becoming the second female president of the Utah Association of the Deaf at the UAD Conference on September 7, 2019. She is also the first person of color to become president of the UAD (She was born and raised in Guatemala).
Kim Lucas Smith, 2nd Female President of the Utah Association of the Deaf
UAD's Utah Deaf Women Group
JBK's Pin Collection
On December 5, 2019, the “Utah Deaf Women” Group under the umbrella of the Utah Association of the Deaf is created because Deaf women are marginalized educationally, socially, economically, professionally, and politically.
The Utah Deaf Women Group aims to empower and elevate the status of our women. We will raise consciousness on the inequality women still face and recognize female leaders’ accomplishments. We will also acknowledge the history of gender inequality. Last, but not least, we will create strategies for developing leadership as well as service to the Utah Deaf community, thereby improving the quality of life for those within the community.
To support the Deaf women’s community, please subscribe to the Deaf Women United Newsletter: http://www.dwu.org
The Utah Deaf Women Group aims to empower and elevate the status of our women. We will raise consciousness on the inequality women still face and recognize female leaders’ accomplishments. We will also acknowledge the history of gender inequality. Last, but not least, we will create strategies for developing leadership as well as service to the Utah Deaf community, thereby improving the quality of life for those within the community.
To support the Deaf women’s community, please subscribe to the Deaf Women United Newsletter: http://www.dwu.org
JBK's Rosie the Riveter Collection
Bibliography
Brooks, Joanna, Steenblik Rachel Hunt and Wheelwright, Hannah. "Mormon Feminism Essential Writing." Oxford University Press, 2016.
Gallaudet University Library Deaf Collections and Archives, "Records of National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, 1900-2006."
Mary Woolslayer Photograph Collection. (1890). J. Willard Marriot Library, University of Utah. Collection Number UU_P0669.
The Deaf American Vol. 32 No. 06 February 1980. https://archive.org/details/TheDeafAmerican3206February1980/page/n9/mode/2up
Brooks, Joanna, Steenblik Rachel Hunt and Wheelwright, Hannah. "Mormon Feminism Essential Writing." Oxford University Press, 2016.
Gallaudet University Library Deaf Collections and Archives, "Records of National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, 1900-2006."
Mary Woolslayer Photograph Collection. (1890). J. Willard Marriot Library, University of Utah. Collection Number UU_P0669.
The Deaf American Vol. 32 No. 06 February 1980. https://archive.org/details/TheDeafAmerican3206February1980/page/n9/mode/2up