Category: Koda Spotlight

Jamaal Anderson is the third coda to be drafted to the NFL (National Football League) and the first one to be drafted in the first round. On February 6th,1986, at… Continue Reading Jamaal Anderson (1986- )

William Thornberry, known as Homer, was born in Austin, Texas on January 9, 1909. Both of his parents, Mary and William Thornberry, were teachers at the Austin School for the… Continue Reading William Homer Thornberry (1909-1995)

A passionate educator and advocate for the deaf community, Winfield McChord was raised in Kentucky by two deaf parents. His father worked as a linotype operator, and both graduated from… Continue Reading Winfield McChord (1940-2006)

At two years old, Elizabeth English Benson was featured in the popular deaf newspaper, The Silent Worker (May 1906, vol 18, no. 8). The column, “Typical Children of Deaf Parents”… Continue Reading Elizabeth Benson (1904-1972)

Louie J. Fant, Jr. was a founding member of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and a well-known figure in the American deaf community for most of his… Continue Reading Louie J. Fant, Jr. (1931-2001)

As an adult, Helen Menken was described as having a “fiery temper and versatile acting abilities” however, it is reported that she did not speak until she was four years… Continue Reading Helen Menken (1901-1966)

A well-known actor of the silent film era, Lon (Leonidas) Chaney was born in 1883 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Chaney was one of four children, all hearing, born to a… Continue Reading Lon Chaney (1883-1930)

Perhaps best known for his role as Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter films, the award-winning Richard Griffiths should also be recognized as a member of the UK deaf community.… Continue Reading Richard Griffiths (1947-2013)

Louise Fletcher was born in Birmingham Alabama in 1934. She is the daughter of Reverend Robert C. Fletcher and Estelle Caldwell. Her father was well known in the deaf community,… Continue Reading Louise Fletcher (1934- )