Deaf history lecture by Dr. MJ Bienvenu on May 8 at Kane Hall:  "Bringing Back Gallaudet's Sesquicentennial Celebration With a Focus on the 15 Visionary Leaders"

Friday, May 8th, 2015 6:30-8:30pm
Kane Hall 120, University of Washington, Seattle
FREE ADMISSION!!

Abstract:  Dr. MJ Bienvenu; chair of the Sesquicentennial event at Gallaudet University; will highlight the twelve visionary leaders in education; theatre; politics; organizations and athletics during the late 1880s to the mid-1990’s.  The university celebration which took place in July, 2014 reflected the 150 year history of the only liberal arts university for deaf students in the world.  Gallaudet University‘s charter was signed by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.  The celebration and alumni reunion included Charter Day along twelve presentations’ workshops’ entertainment and plenary sessions.  Mj Bienvenu’s lecture will bring us closer to the history of Gallaudet University and in turn to the contributions of these twelve influential trailblazers.

Dr. MJ Bienvenu is a native ASL signer originally from Baton Rouge, LA.  She worked at Gallaudet for a total of 11 years. She then moved to be co-director of The Bicultural Center for 7 years, later as director of The Language and Culture Center for 3 years before coming back to Gallaudet.  MJ has published several Deaf Culture and ASL teaching materials, videos and workbooks.  She also presented internationally on the topics of Sign Language Instruction, Culture, Oppression and Empowerment, Cross-cultural Interactions and Interpretation.  MJ served as president of Deaf Women United, Inc. from 1997 to 1999 and as co-chair of Deaf Lesbians Festival from 2000 to 2004. She is currently president of the National Organization of the Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority since 2004.

The Lecture will be done in ASL and voice interpreted
DeafBlind Interpreting needs: email request at dhhreq@uw.edu before April 24th
CEUs request pending…
For more information contact Lance Forshay at lforshay@uw.edu