Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin had a simple message for those who came to see her at the Nott Memorial Wednesday night:
"Despite what others tell us we cannot do, all of us have a right to achieve our dreams," said the hearing-impaired Matlin, a leading advocate for the deaf community. "As my friend Stevie Wonder said to me, only when those who see can open their eyes, those who can walk can open the doors, and those who can hear are no longer deaf, can we finally stand side by side equally to one another and celebrate our diversity."
An overflow crowd filled the Nott to listen to Matlin's words, which were shared by her longtime interpreter, Jack Jason. The talk was part of the Presidential Forum on Diversity series.
To read about her visit in The Daily Gazette, click here (registration may be required).
In 1986, when she was 21, Matlin became the youngest winner of the Best Actress Oscar for her leading role in “Children of a Lesser God.” She is one of only four actresses to receive that honor for a film debut.
Matlin has starred in numerous feature films, including “Walker,” “The Player” and “Hear No Evil.” She also has appeared in many television series, including “The West Wing,” “Reasonable Doubts,” Showtime’s “The L Word” and “Dancing with the Stars.”
She recently launched a reality series on YouTube, “The Deaf Family,” which features a California family whose members are all deaf, except for the oldest son, Jared (the show’s narrator), and the youngest, Elijah. She hopes the show will eventually get picked up by the networks.