Hall of Fame: Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field "The paths that our heroes have blazed and the legacies they have left provide us with purpose and meaning." These words, spoken by Dr. Dean Tuttle at the American Printing House for the Blind in October, 2001, began the formal announcement of a venue to celebrate our heroes. The Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field, expected to draw support from the entire profession, will be housed in a portion of the 1922 wing of the historic 1883 building of the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, Kentucky. Mission Statement: The Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field shall be dedicated to preserving, honoring, and promoting the tradition of excellence manifested by the specific individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame and through the history of outstanding services provided to people who are blind or visually impaired. "AER enthusiastically supports this endeavor. It's time we honor those who have done so much, who stand as the highest examples of professionalism.... By honoring them we proclaim the legitimacy and importance of our field and honor the efforts of all individuals who provide services to blind persons." --Billy Brookshire, President, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired "What a wonderful and timely idea! Celebrating heroes is vital to keeping an accurate historical record of the victories and triumphs of our long and colorful past." --Vince Martino, Director of Canadian AER, and Linda Mamer, International AER Board Representative "A special recognition project to honor persons who make a difference in the lives of children we represent is of special interest to us. Consider us your partner in this effort!" --Dr. Mary Jean Sanspree, President, Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Visual Impairment "We are a profession that, until now, has not honored its history appropriately. Many of the present generation of professionals in the blindness field have little knowledge of the giants that have gone before them. It is on the very shoulders of these giants that we depend to lead us into the future." --Carl Augusto, President, American Foundation for the Blind Here are highlights from the lives of six of the first 32 inductees into the Hall of Fame: Dr. Natalie Barraga, 1915- University of Texas Professor Emerita, best known for her writings on low vision and visual efficiency. Dr. Berthold Lowenfeld, 1901-1994 Author of Our Blind Children and countless other books, chapters, and articles. Father Thomas Carroll, 1909-1971 Authored the landmark book Blindness: What It Is, What It Does, and How to Live With It, still in use. Mary K. Bauman, 1911-1991 Chiefly known for her research and writings on the psychological evaluation of blind persons. Dr. Samuel C. Ashcroft, 1921- Teacher, educator, researcher, author and first Director of Educational Research, APH. Helen Keller, 1880-1968 World ambassador, prolific writer, and tireless advocate for blind and deaf-blind people. Among countless awards was the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Exciting Features of the Hall of Fame The multimedia Hall of Fame will feature plaques, artifacts, videos, and interactive kiosks celebrating the achievements of our legends. In addition, a virtual Hall of Fame is accessible through www.aph.org. Full listing of the first 32 Hall of Fame inductees: Georgie Lee Abel Samuel Ashcroft Robert Atkinson Col. E. A. Baker Natalie Barraga Mary K. Bauman Donald Blasch Warren Bledsoe Fr. Thomas Carroll Cleo Dolan Eleanor E. Faye, MD Kathern Gruber Richard Hoover Samuel Gridley Howe Douglas Inkster Robert Irwin Kenneth Jernigan Ruth Kaarlela Helen Keller Roy Kumpe Berthold Lowenfeld Durward McDaniel Alice Raftary Louis Rives, Jr. Peter Salmon Stanley Suterko Mary Switzer Josephine Taylor Louis Vieceli Donald Wedewer Robert Whitstock Russell Williams How You Can Support the Hall of Fame The Hall of Fame needs your financial support. Donations are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to: Leaders and Legends, Hall of Fame 1839 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 All donations will be gratefully acknowledged. If you have artifacts related to Hall of Fame inductees, please contact Bob Brasher at bbrasher@aph.org. Hall of Fame: Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field is a project of the American Printing House for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. The North American Advisory Committee to the Hall of Fame includes: Burt Boyer (CA) Phil Hatlen (TX) Cay Holbrook (B.C.) Michael Nelipovich (WI) Susan Spungin (NY) Dean Tuttle (CO) Naomi Tuttle (CO) APH Staff Hall of Fame: Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field Hall of Fame c/o Advisory Services Department American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. 1839 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY 40206 502-895-2405 Fax: 502-899-2363 Email: halloffame@aph.org Web site: www.aph.org 1/02