on 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 a hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, Glenn and Karen Anderson welcomed their second child, Jamaal, to the world. Glenn and Karen had met while they… Continue Reading Jamaal Anderson (1986- )
on 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 Deaf. As a young man, Thornberry attended Austin High School followed by the University of Texas. He worked his way through school as a deputy… Continue Reading William Homer Thornberry (1909-1995)
on 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 the Kentucky School for the Deaf in 1935. McChord received a Bachelors degree from Transylvania College in 1962 and a Masters degree from Gallaudet before… Continue Reading Winfield McChord (1940-2006)
on 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” (also known as “Types of Children of Deaf Parents”) appeared regularly and featured photographs of hearing children. She was pictured with her sister and parents,… Continue Reading Elizabeth Benson (1904-1972)
on 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 life. Born in 1931, to deaf parents Louie J. Fant, Sr. and Hazeline Reid, he was raised in Greenville, South Carolina and Dallas, Texas. As… Continue Reading Louie J. Fant, Jr. (1931-2001)
on 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 old. (Ocela Star Banner) As a child, she was raised in New York City by deaf parents, Frederick and Mary Meinken, and her first language… Continue Reading Helen Menken (1901-1966)
on 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 prominent deaf family. In the decade prior to his birth, his grandparents were involved in the founding of the Colorado School for the Deaf… Continue Reading Lon Chaney (1883-1930)
on 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. He was born in Thornaby-on-Tees, a town in North Riding of Yorkshire, England. Both his parents, Jane and Thomas Griffiths, were deaf and the family… Continue Reading Richard Griffiths (1947-2013)
on Marqise Lee is the fourth Coda to play professional football in NFL history. Lee was born in Inglewood, California on November 25, 1991. His parents, Elton Lee and Anfernee Williams, are deaf. Lee and his siblings, two brothers (one deceased) and one sister, moved frequently in their youth, spending most of their time with their… Continue Reading Marqise Lee (1991 – )
on 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, having founded forty churches for the deaf in Alabama. Reportedly, Fletcher was introduced to acting by a hearing aunt and she went on to receive… Continue Reading Louise Fletcher (1934- )