Golden Memories: A Photo Report of the 1990 Federation Convention

Golden Memories: A Photo Report of the 1990 Federation Convention

Future Reflections Convention 1990, Vol. 9 No. 4
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GOLDEN MEMORIES

PHOTO REPORT OF THE 1990
FEDERATION CONVENTION
One of the pleasant memories of my childhood
was those times when I could wheedle my
grandmother or mother into pulling out the old
photo albums for me to flip through. I recall spending
hours looking at photos of aunts, uncles,
cousins, great-great grandrelatives, childhood
friends of my parents, and those embarrassing (but
cute) baby pictures of guess who. Photographs, I
discovered, could do more than portray people or
places--they could tell a story.
In the following pages you can peruse our own
special photograph story of the 1990 National
Federation of the Blind National Convention. This
photo album is particularly special because 1990 is
the Federation's Golden Anniversary. The convention,
therefore, was more than a convention, it was
a celebration of that historic moment fifty years ago
when a handful of blind people decided to take their
destiny into their own hands--no longer would the
blind wait for others to do for them. The National
Federation of the Blind was organized so that the
blind could decide for themselves what they wanted
and have the strength and clout to get it. The size,
vigor, enthusiasm, and productivity of the 1990
convention was clearly a testimony to the effectiveness
of the Federation's founders and those who
followed in their footsteps. Some of the excitement,
hustle and bustle, camaraderie, and upbeat tone of
the convention is captured in the following
photographs, which also depict the special events
and activities which took place.
You will notice that there are many photographs
of blind children and their parents. One of the most
exciting chapters in the modern history of the
Federation has been the development of our Parents
of Blind Children Division, organized in 1983-- seven years ago. In the seventies few parents attended
our national conventions, and those who did
usually came with no background in the Federation.
[PICTURE]President Maurer demonstrates to young Mitchell
Woods of Tennessee how he uses a 2-way radio to help
keep the convention running smoothly. Mitchell is learning
another lesson as well--a lesson about the
capabilities of the blind. This is role-modeling at its best.
They considered themselves guests, not members.
What a change we see today! There was no doubt
that the numerous blind children and their parents
who attended the convention felt like, and were, an
integral part of the proceedings. The Federation
belonged to them, too, and they were a part of the
discussions and deliberations which would chart the
course of the blind for the next fifty years.
Here is: GOLDEN MEMORIES: A Photo
Report of the 1990 Federation Convention.
Editor's Note: The September, 1990, Braille
Monitor issue has an excellent narrative report of
the convention proceedings. The issue is available
free of charge. Write to: National Federation of the
Blind, Materials Center, 1800 Johnson Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21230; (301) 659-9314.
[PICTURE] Glen Crosby, President of the NFB of Texas, welcomes
the convention to the Lone Star State. The Texas affiliate
sponsored two hospitality rooms, a barbecue with free
beer and live music, five tours on the free afternoon of
July 4, a steak dinner/rodeo package on July 6, and
horseback riding on the Saturday following convention.
[PICTURE] The convention opened July 3 with a special presentation
to President Ma urer (right) by Harold Snider (former
Director of Outreach for Persons with Disabilities,
Republican National Committee). Mr. Snider said: "This
morning I have the great pleasure and privilege to
present to Marc Maurer, on behalf of the President of
the United States, George Bush, and the Republican
National Committee, a Presidential medal in honor of the
50th anniversary of the National Federation of the Blind."
[PICTURE] One of the most exciting moments of the convention was
the unveiling of the monumental work Walking Alone
and Marching Together: The History of the Organized
Blind Movement in the United States by
Floyd Matson, professor of American Studies at the
University of Hawaii. The very first copy of the book was
presented by President Maurer to Hazel tenBroek, widow of the NFB's founder, Dr. Jacobus tenBroek.
[PICTURE] Representatives from all 50 states plus D.C. and many
foreign nations~a total of almost 3,000 people-attended
the 1990 50th anniversary convention of the NFB in
Dallas, Texas. It was a grand celebration and a great
convention!
[PICTURE] The Delagardelle family from Iowa stop in the Exhibit
Hall to pick up a free Braille calendar from the American
Brotherhood for the Blind. In addition to the technological
aids on display, hundreds of pieces of literature and
materials about blindness were available-much of it free.
[PICTURE] "It talks!"five-year-old Ryan Strunkand mother Carol of
Nebraska are delighted with the Braille 'n Speak from
Blazie Engineering. Parents and children had an opportunity
to try out technological aids from some 100 exhibitors
at the 1990 Federation convention.
[PICTURE] "This is how you do it." Lori Duffy of Ohio demonstrates
a craft project during the children's activities on Saturday,
June 30. Other activities included a trip to the mall, a visit
from a clown, and, for older youth, a trip to Six Flags.
"Far from the madding crowd." That's where 3-year-old Cody wants to be in this mob! Perched on Dad's
shoulders, he listens attentively as father Martin Greiser of Montana discusses canes and other aids that are for
sale in the Exhibit Hall.
[PICTURE] Kathleen Spear, with the assistance of her Deaf-Blind
interpreter, listens intently to the convention proceedings.
The Federation has 25 committees, 16 divisions,
and numerous informal groups-such as the amateur
radio group-many of which conduct meetings and seminars
at the annual NFB convention. In Dallas, for example,
the Committee on Concerns of the Deaf-Blind
sponsored an interpreter's training session, the Writers
Division put on a workshop, The Music Division organized
a talent show, and the Parents of Blind Children
Uivision conducted its annual seminar. Other seminars
included a Personal Appearance and Grooming Seminar
by Mary Kay Cosmetics and a Social Security workshop.
[PICTURE] " When it comes to civil rights for the blind, we are the
only game in town. Nobody has the tenacity and the
willingness to meet conflict halfway or the ability to settle
arguments with finality. We have a reputation--and we
deserve it." So said President Marc Maurerin his annual
Presidential Report on Tuesday afternoon, July 3. His
report (which is printed in full in the September, 1990, Braille Monitor) revie wed not only the accomplishments
of the last year, but also examined the progress made in
the last fifty years. The final words of the report were a
summation of the Federation's record, the work still at
hand, and our dreams for tomorrow: " I have met the
great body of the Federation, and I am absolutely certain
that the first fifty years are only the beginning. With the
Federation as our vehicle, and a spirit of determination
as our driving force, we will create a climate of equality
for all of the blind. The stakes are too high and the costs
of failure too great to do anything less. With all of the
problems we face, our future has never looked better.
Therefore, with joy, with enthusiasm, with purpose, let us
go to meet our second half century. This is my hope, this
is my certainty, and this is my report to you on this golden
anniversary."
[PICTURE] Peter White, a reporter with the British Broadcasting
Corporation (England), has just interviewed Chris
Sebastin and Angela Howard, two blind teens from
Louisiana. Some of the other foreign countries represented
at the 1990convention were: Japan, Mexico, the
Philippines, Canada, Nigeria, and Korea.
[PICTURE] Federationists may work hard, but they also know how
to have a good time. Ron Schippert and Angie Page (a
1990 Scholarship winner) dance to the beat of the live
band at the outdoor barbecue sponsored by the Texas
affiliate.
[PICTURE] Theresa VanEttingerof California checks out the pool.
The pleasant outdoor pool at the hotel became a fa vorite
spot for children of all ages to relax and socialize between
convention events.
[PICTURE] Some people used their spare time to learn new skills.. Melody Lindsey of Florida gives a cane travel lesson to Darin, David, and Derek Behmke of Wisconsin while
mom and dad (Judith and Dana) watch from the door of
their hotel room.
[PICTURE] Leave it to college students to find a way to combine fun
and fund raising! Everyone had a great time at the NFB
Student Division-sponsored Monte Carlo night on the
evening of July 4.
[PICTURE] President Marc Maurer (right) accepts a special plaque
from Dr. Euclid Herie, Managing Director of the
Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Dr. Herie
said: "I have given your president a 3-dimensional plaque
of a beaver gnawing on a tree. The beaver, as you
know, is industrious; and it is also the symbol of Canada.
He is a most persistent, determined animal-something
like the history of the Federation."
[PICTURE] One of the highpoints of the convention was the appearance
on July 5 of Justin Dart, Jr., Chairman of the
President's Committee on Employment of People
With Disabilities. Mr. Dart, one of the most prominent
national leaders in the disability field, came to make a
presentation from the President of the United States. He
said in part:" I am very proud to be here today with so
many great soldiers in the struggle for justice It is my
great honor now to recognize the accomplishments of
one of the great American pioneers of the twentieth
centrury....His leadership ofNFB has given impetus and
direction to the movement to emancipate people with all
disabilites who form the world's most oppressed, isolated,
unemployed, impoverished, and dependent
minority. ...He has taught us that equality and productivity
cannot be handed down by paternalistic authority but can
only be gained as we who have disabilities speak for
ourselves and empower ourselves to participate fully in
the decisions that control our destinies....On behalf of
President George Bush it is my great honor to present to Dr. Kenneth Jernigan the Distinguished Service
A ward of the President of the United States.
[PICTURE] Congressman Martin Frost (Texas) was one of the
many governmental or agency figures who addressed
the convention. After speaking, the congressman
pledged the NFB his support for legislation prohibiting
discrimination against the blind in air travel.
[PICTURE] A number of successful blind persons gave presentations
about the challenges and obstacles he or she had
to overcome in his or her chosen career. Diane Starin tells how her love of horses evolved into her life's work
in a presentation entitled: "The Philosophy of Blindness
at work in Equestrian Training and Shearing Sheep."
[PICTURE] "Testing 1 -2-3..." Dr. Jernigan gives 10-year-old Cherrane
Verduin of Illinois a shot at the microphone. Cherrane
represents a generation of blind children who, for
the first time in history, are being consciously raised with
the Federation philosophy.
[PICTURE] Carol Coulter gives the Federation credit for helping her
overcome discrimination in her day-care business. She
spoke to the convention on Thursday morning.
One of the most fascinating events of the convention was
a fifty-year historical review moderated by Dr. Kenneth
Jernigan. Ten Federationists, two for each decade,
spoke of their memories of the organization at the time
that they became active. (A partial report is in this issue
and a complete report is in the Oct./Nov. Braille
Monitor.,) Participants in this panel were: standing (left
to right): Michael Baillif, Barbara Walker, RubyRyles,
Marc Maurer, Ramona Walhof, and Barbara Pierce; seated (left to right): Tim Cranmer, Donald Capps, Joe
DeBeer, Hazel tenBroek, and Kenneth Jernigan.
[PICTURE] "So far as I can tell, there are only three possible reasons
for studying history-to get inspiration, to gain perspective,
or to acquire a basis for predicting the future." So
said Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, long-time leader of the
Federation, in his banquet address entitled "The Federation
at Fifty." Dr. Jernigan's riveting speech delivered all
three-inspiration, perspective, and prediction. The
speech is reprinted in full in this issue.
Dr. Abraham Nemeth (right) receives the NFB Blind
Educator of the Year Award from Fred Schroeder. In
addition to a long and distinguished teaching career, Dr.
Nemeth was the creator of the Nemeth code for Braille
Mathematics. Doris Willoughby, (not pictured)
received the Distinguished Educator of Blind Children
Award.
[PICTURE] The 1990 banquet was characterized by laughter, singing,
good food, and fun. The door prizes were plentiful,
the a wards exciting, and the banquet address interesting
and enlightening. In short, it was a typical NFB banquet.
History doesn't have to be stuffy or dull! Nine-year-old Mitchell Woods of Tennessee is clearly delighted by
(and thoroughly absorbed in) Dr. Jernigan's stirring banquet
address.
[PICTURE] The National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Award Program is impressive by any standard. In 1990
the NFB awarded twenty-six scholarships with a total cash value of $67,500. In addition to the cash award,
which ranged from $2,000 to $10,000, each winner received an expense-paid trip to the Federation
convention. These twenty-six students are among the top students--blind or sighted--in the country. Here is
the list of the 1990 winners, their home states, and a brief description of their career interests. FRONT ROW
(left to right): Berenice Ong, California, tax lawyer; Holly Pilcher, Florida, lawyer; Amy Zellner, Wisconsin,biological and environmental engineering; Royce Oliver, Georgia, labor lawyer; Robin Zook, Colorado, genetics and molecular biology; Judith Rasmussen, Wisconsin, French professor; Kathy Kannenberg,
North Carolina, math teacher; Cheryl Meadors, Arizona, human services; Danny Wells, Georgia,
professor political science. MIDDLE ROW (left to right): Laura White-Cornea, Alaska, English teacher; Elizabeth Butler, Mississippi, special education; Kyle McHugh, Massachusetts, public health administration; Sarah Cripps, Tennessee, lawyer; Angie Page, Colorado, lawyer/politics; Janice Karin, New York,
research/applied astronomy (space program); Lisa Heins, Illinois, dietician; Jeanine Lineback, Texas,
history professor; Misty Collins, Arkansas, writer; Ross Kaplan, Pennsylvania, teacher/human services.
BACK ROW (left to right): Carrie Amestoy, Georgia, writer/journalist; Michael Ferrence, Pennsylvania,
labor lawyer; Daniel Frye, South Carolina, lawyer; Bradley Kadel, Illinois, history professor; Frank
Wozniak, Missouri, computer programmer; Adam Linn, Massachusetts, business /lawyer; Geoffrey
Courtney, Texas, lawyer.
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