Deaf Women

Sophia Smith

1796 - 1870

Founder, Smith College

Sophia Smith became deaf at age of 40. She spent most of her time at home and involved at her church. She took care of her children.

She decided to found woman’s college in Massachusetts with the estate she inherited. She hoped that the college would provide quality undergraduate education for young women just like young men.

After her death in 1870. Smith College opened its doors in 1875 with 14 students. Today, Smith enrolled approximately more than 2,000 students from the world.


Juliette Gordon Low

1860 - 1927

Founder of the Girl Scouts of America in 1912.

Before she married to William Low. She was suffered an ear infection that damaged her ear to cause her to lose her hearing in that ear. After the wedding, the rice thrown into Juliette’s good ear. When the rice was removed, her eardrum was punctured that cause her completely deaf in that ear. She became deaf for the rest of her life.

Helen Keller
1880 - 1968
Author and lecturer.

An illness at the age of 19 months left her deaf, blind and mute. Through the work of teacher Anne Sullivan, she learned to overcome these daunting handicaps and became a powerful and effective national spokesperson on behalf of others with similar disabilities


Kitty O'Neil 

1946 - 2018
America Stuntwoman

Became deaf at age of 4. Was told that she cannot drive and dive.

She loved to be a daredevil by enjoying car racing. She became a stunt woman driving. By the time, she turned 28. Kitty set a world record in the Guinness Book of World Records as a "Fastest Woman on Earth."

According to movie database. She listed as a Stunt for TV and Movie. Smokey and the Bandit II, The Blue Brothers, Foul Play, Damien: Omen II, Airport '77, Foes, Two-Minutes Warning, "Wonder Woman", and Airport 1975.

Nanette Fabray

1920 - 2018
Actress

You might remember her as a TV grandmother on “One Day at a Time”. Her real life niece is Shelley Fabares who played Christine on TV show, “Coach”, with Craig T. Nelson.

Was born deaf. Restored it after 4 operations. She overcame her hearing impaired to follow her dream as an actress. She performed more than 40 TV shows, movies and game shows.

A big advocate for the rights of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing included Closed Captioned to TV.

Her TV, Movies and Game Shows credits:

“Mary Tyler Moore”, “Amy”, “Love Boat”, “One Day at a Time”, “Match Game”, and more.