OCCUPATIONS

James Nack

He was the first deaf man to publish a book in this country.  He started a collection of his poems when he was about 17-18 years old.  The book, "Legend of the Rock and Other Pieces" published in 1827.  In these books, he published 4 volumes of poetry.  Also, he was one of the deaf writers for the Gallaudet Almanac.

He was the first deaf who accepted a position for a federal specialist government in Advisement, training and Placement Section in the office of vocational Rehabilitation, within the Federal Security Agency.

Sheldon Freedman

He was the first Deaf juror, and that time, the deaf were not selected as jurors.  He proved to them that he could serve as a juror when he had an interpreter with him.  The judge and others had no objections with his deafness, to his surprise.

Kitty O'Neil

She is known as "The Deaf Daredevil".  She risks her live by giving stunts such as jumped off a ten story building, crashed cars, been set on fire, plunged over 100 foot waterfall and more.  Also, she set a world speed as the fastest woman water skier at 104.85 mph in 1970.  She also broke other records for her stunts.
 O'Neil Weblink

Juliette Gordon Low

She was the first deaf who founded the First Girl Scout's.  She became interested in establishing the new youth movement and begun gathering 18 girls together to organize the first Girl Scouts of America.  She also established this organization some places in Europe.
 Low Weblink

He was listed in the "Guinness Book of World Records" for the number of lives he saved as a deaf lifeguard.  He worked on a beach in Galveston, Texas.  He also became the first deaf to join a club in his town as a full pledged member.  He later became a lifeguard for Galveston Beach.  He was known as the "Hero of Galveston".
 Colombo Weblink

She became the first Deaf woman to succeed in the field of journalism and literature.  At that time, many people knew the stories written under a man's name in fact a woman, but they did not expect a Deaf woman.  She wrote 2 books and wrote poems.
 Searing Weblink

 
Eratus "Deaf" Smith

He was a Texas solider, who was Houston's chief scout and spy.  he became a folk hero in Texas when he suggested a technique for the war and his side won.  He was accepted as a Captain for command of a company of Texas Rangers.
 Smith Weblink

Thomas Coughlin

He was the first deaf man to become a Catholic priest in America.  He took his vow in 1977.  He felt the needs for priests to communicate freely with about the religion.  he studied for 5 years before he became ordained.

Rev. Joseph D. Taylor

He was the first deaf superintendent at a school for the deaf.  He was an experienced teacher.  He earned a Bachelor of Dainty degree at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, V.A. and got a bachelor's and a master's degree at Yale University.

 
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