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For the first time ever
We are very excited to let
the community and public
to nominate Deaf women.
We realized that there is sea of
Deaf women. Can one person find on its own?
No, that is impossible.
While we allow your nominations,
We also have a group called
Search and Selection Committee (SSC).
Their primary responsibility is to
1) Nominate and 2) Vote
for the top twenty-one Deaf women.
Whoever gets the majority of the votes
will become a Pearl.
What you need to do is go to this website...
Click on it.
As you enter, the website has information
explaining what the qualifications are in order
for your nomination to be accepted.
The first one is to submit your full name - first and last.
The second one is your email address.
In case we need to get in touch with you
to get more information
or to possibly get in touch
with the person that you nominated.
The third one is
of course, the nominee's full name.
The fourth one is to explain
in details with as much information
you can on why that person
should be considered as a Pearl.
Please include their rewards, their
website, or
whatever information that needs to be included.
Finally, select the award category she fits
the best.
We have six categories altogether.
which will be explained next.
There are six categories altogether.
Four women will be awarded each in the first five categories.
The last category, only one
Deaf woman will receive.
I'll go ahead and explain what the categories are.
The first one is advocate.
Of course, the Deaf community can't live without them.
An advocate must verbally express
or act upon on an important
or hot issue or topic
that happens within our world today.
Here is an example, this person
Leah Katz-Hernandez
a political activist who worked on
Obama Campaign.
She wrote on her blog in which
got attention from CNN and BBC.
The next category is artist.
We value the artists in our community.
They come in many forms:
painter,
writer, storyteller,
photographer, and filmmaker.
Amy Edwards
is recognized for her work
behind major films like
Bolt!,
Pirates of the Caribbean,
and Fantastic Four.
Her speciality is being a
computer-generated artist.
Next is First-of and
founder.
These two are separated, but work together.
First-of means that someone who
is the first to accomplish something specific.
Founder means someone who founded
an idea, movement,
or organization.
Claudia Gordon
is the first Deaf Female
and African American attorney
in the entire United States.
The next category is businesswoman.
It is indeed a small group, but they are worth recognizing.
That Deaf woman must currently
or formerly run a
business of some type.
Mara Ladines
She is a fashion designer who established
her own clothing line.
With what? A popular sign, I love you.
A common and same look for that handshape
She wanted to put a unique twist
in which became a painting type.
It spread out and became popular.
The next category is the hidden pearl.
It is someone who has done a lot,
but is often not applauded of or
is overlooked.
Melissa Rich is
one classic example.
She loves going to a variety of music festivals.
But what happened was at one,
there was a lack of providing an interpreter and the
placement made it hard to see
the interpreter while watching the band at the same time.
She along with others fought
Finally, they got the right. Now,
all are able to enjoy that music festival.
Finally...the last, but not the least important
This award, only one person will receive
That award is called
The Black Pearl Award.
This is the lifetime achievement award
meaning that person must possess qualities that
is the whole package.
That person is a leader,
trailblazer,
teacher,
mentor,
All in one. She is the rarest of all.
Marcella M. Meyer
If not for her, Deaf people today would not
have excellent interpreters serving
you in ensuring that the communication exchange
goes smoothly. She set the interpreting standards
to a whole new level.
Also, she made sure that Deaf people have
the right to sit on a jury with
an interpreter, too.
If not for her, we wouldn't be there.
Thirdly, she established an important non-profit organization
in Los Angeles called GLAD
Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness.
It still stands today.
Altogether, remember
the first five, only 4 will be awarded for each.
The last one, only one will receive The Black Pearl award.
We look forward to your nominations!