Marlee Matlin shares empowering story with more than 1,350 people at CMU

Marlee Matlin, Academy Award-winning actress, television star and advocate for those with hearing loss, spoke to a packed auditorium of more than 1,350 students and community members at Central Michigan University Wednesday, March 13.

 

Matlin, who lost her hearing when she was 18 months old, shared empowering stories of her experiences overcoming barriers and achieving her goals.

 

CMU senior Chanelle Trautmann, a recreational therapy major, said Matlin’s message was inspirational and moving.

 

“I loved that she gave her autobiography of her struggles, accomplishments and her views on a few controversial issues within the Deaf world,” Trautmann said. “I can only imagine how immensely it inspired the Deaf kids who were there.”

 

Trautmann, who is minoring in American Sign Language, said watching Matlin sign fluently was amazing, and she was excited to have the opportunity to use her new skills learned at CMU.

 

“I am always in awe of their beautiful language,” she said. “This event brought the hearing world and Deaf world together.”

 

Matlin is recognized for her work in Paramount Pictures’ “Children of a Lesser God,” receiving the Academy Award for Best Actress and making history at the age of 21 as the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar. She has starred in numerous feature films – such as “Walker” and “The Player” – and has found great success on several hit TV shows, including “The West Wing,” “Desperate Housewives,” “The L Word” and “CSI: New York.” She also has appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” and most recently as a finalist on “Celebrity Apprentice.”

 

In addition to her acting roles, Matlin is author of three novels for children – “Deaf Child Crossing,” “Nobody’s Perfect” and “Leading Ladies”– and her autobiography, “I’ll Scream Later.” As an advocate Matlin worked to influence Congress to pass federal legislation requiring all U.S. television manufacturers to be equipped with closed captioning technology.

 

Sponsors for Matlin’s presentation include the CMU Speaker Series, CMU Program Board, American Sign Language Society, the Division of American Sign Language, Department of Communication Disorders, and The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions.