Fifty Years of Federation Love: The DC Affiliate Honors Gail Snider with the 2025 Presidential Award

by Shawn Callaway

From the Editor: Shawn Callaway is a member of the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors and president of the National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia. In this article, he writes about an outstanding leader in his affiliate who recently received its Presidential Award. Here is what Shawn, himself an energetic leader, has to say:

The ballroom at the Washington Plaza Hotel overflowed with a familiar mix of pride, joy, and the energy that comes whenever members of the National Federation of the Blind gather to celebrate one another. At the 2025 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia, I was honored to acknowledge the vital contributions of a long-time Federationist who helped build the strong affiliate that exists today. Our Presidential Award was bestowed upon someone whose Federation journey reaches back fifty years: Gail Snider. The room erupted with applause a moment before I even said her name. There are some Federationists who need no introduction, at least not in their home affiliate, and Gail is one of them. Hopefully, this short article will allow my Federation family throughout the nation to come to know her as well.

To honor Gail’s legacy, a tribute written by long-time friend and Federation leader, James Gashel, was read aloud. Although he could not attend in person, Mr. Gashel sent his love from Hawaii, where he wrote that the Hawaiian concept of ohana—extended family—perfectly describes what binds Federation members together. He recalled meeting Gail around 1975, while he was serving as chief of our Washington office prior to the establishment of our headquarters in Baltimore. This was during the critical reorganization that shaped the modern National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia. Through the years, he wrote, Gail has been the embodiment of two essential words: commitment and service. With warmth and humor, he observed that if it were possible to clone Gail, he would place one of her in every affiliate and chapter across the nation.

I was then privileged to present the plaque signifying the Presidential Award, recognizing Gail’s “extraordinary service to the blind of the District of Columbia.” Gail stepped forward to accept the honor with obvious emotion. Her first words, through surprised laughter, were: “I don’t know what I must have done to deserve it.” Her humility, however, only underscored why she was being recognized.

Gail reflected briefly on her decades of work at the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, where she served as the first point of contact for many newly blind people unsure where to turn. It was, she told the audience, not just a job. It was a privilege to be the reassuring voice answering the phone when a person called in fear or confusion, hoping someone would pick up.

She also shared a heartfelt story about the responsibilities of being a blind parent. She recalled living in England and calling the police to ask whether she could briefly leave her baby in the house while she ran next door. The officer’s curt response made it clear that blindness does not exempt anyone from parental responsibility. “Just being a blind parent is no excuse,” she said. “It is what it is.” Through that anecdote she affirmed a message central to our movement: blind people live the full range of life’s responsibilities, and we meet them. As a blind father, my most important role, this observation spoke to me. It was fitting that Gail’s son David was present for these moments.

Gail spoke proudly of the District of Columbia affiliate, particularly its leadership in recent years. She noted that the affiliate now reflects the diverse community it serves: “straight-talking, straight-doing, kind people,” as she described our membership. The room rang with approval at that truth. “It’s a privilege sometimes just to step aside and be proud,” she said, acknowledging the next generation of leaders, particularly Black leaders, rising behind her.

Near the close of her remarks, she offered a simple philosophy that has guided her life and her Federation work: “What we do is we try our best to lead a good life and to do right by our fellow man and woman and child and just keep it going.” A moment later she added, “We do what we can, right? We do what we can because we are Federation.” The audience responded with a standing ovation, followed by photographs and greetings that stretched longer than the formal presentation. Gail beamed with gratitude, still shaking her head in disbelief at the warm recognition and tangible expression of love that she was receiving.

The 2025 Presidential Award celebrated Gail’s past accomplishments, yet it was also a tribute to her continuing example. Her fifty years and counting with the National Federation of the Blind remind us that progress is achieved not only through sweeping advocacy or high-profile campaigns but also through the steady leadership of grassroots members who show up, who answer the phone, who raise children, and who keep the affiliate alive and growing. Fifty years in, Gail Snider is still doing the things that make members like her indispensable. The Federation is stronger because she is part of our ohana.