The Pearls
The Pearls – Deaf Women Tell All
Sep 10th
The Pearls, an event applauding extraordinary Deaf women across America that have transcend their respective fields. Lawyer, fashion designer, entrepreneur, writer, singer, and filmmaker are to name a few.
The Deaf women celebrated at a private affair in Studio City, CA. Watch this video to learn more about each Deaf Women and witness a historical event that has never happen before. Plus, they shared their insights on how they view the world, how they have made it to where they are today, and much more.
The Pearls: Michelle Banks
May 14th
Michelle Banks is a native of Washington, DC, an award winning actress, writer, director, producer, choreographer, and teacher. Founder/Artistic Director of Onyx Theatre Company (1989-2000). Her television/movie appearances: YAHOO! (commercial), 10-8 (ABC), SOUL FOOD (Showtime), GIRLFRIENDS (UPN), STRONG MEDICINE (Lifetime), COMPENSATION (movie), and SEE WHAT I’M SAYING (documentary) . Michelle co-directed a feature debut, ALWAYS CHASING LOVE with Jadolphus CW Fraser.
The Pearls: Myrna Orleck-Aiello
Apr 29th
Myrna Orleck-Aiello is the President and CEO of TCS Associates, based in Wheaton, MD. TCS, founded in 1982, has built the core of its business around providing assistive technology products & services for people with disabilities. TCS also focuses on Section 508 compliance, communications solutions, and information technology consulting. TCS’ clients include State, Local, and Federal Government, Fortune 500 companies, Educational Institutions, Non-Profits, and members of the community.
Mrs. Orleck-Aiello is the first Deaf woman to be awarded the 8(a) Certification by the Small Business Administration, and as President and CEO of TCS, she is directly responsible for the overall internal administration of the company, required to control fiscal responsibility, appropriate personnel management, and sound operational practices.
The Pearls: Mary Rappazzo
Apr 29th
Mary A. Rappazzo is a Los Angeles-based fine arts painter, digital artist, and graphic designer. Her recognizable, one-eyed signature style is expressed in bold statements using bright colors, figurative and representational images in idealized forms. She is drawn to themes involving human interaction, social justice, and people in the public eye, as well as creating stylized portraits from photographs of her clients’ family and friends. Mary’s paintings have been shown at several galleries in California and New York. Her work has garnered national awards and has been featured in several publications including the book “Deaf Artists in America: Colonial to Contemporary,” by Deborah Sonnenstrahl.
The Pearls: Lizzie Sorkin
Mar 14th
Born and raised in California, Lizzie Sorkin decided to follow her dad’s footsteps and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology from the School of Film and Animation in 2007. During her studies in Rochester, she was introduced to so many opportunities that opened the door for her. At one point, she took a break from school and studied abroad with Semester at Sea in the Fall of 2002. She has participated in the Deaflympics as a goalkeeper for the US Deaf Women’s National Soccer team in Australia and won the Gold. She is known for being the first Deaf woman to be a student government president at a predominately hearing University with close to 18,000 students. Lizzie enjoys stamping the pages in her passport, reading, and making quirky videos. Her parents eventually moved closer to the District of Columbia where Lizzie now resides, and enjoys frequent visits to local DC venues! Currently, she is an employee at Gallaudet University in the Academic Technology Video Services department. Lizzie is also pursuing a Master’s in the Administration and Supervision program with the focus in Student Affairs at Gallaudet University, graduating in May 2011.
The Pearls: Melissa Rich
Feb 25th
Being an equal communication access advocate, Melissa Rich is married for 17 years to a musician at heart and mother of four children, ages 17, 14, 13 and 8. Melissa graduated Magna Cum Laude from Baker College. Moreover, she worked with a fellow deaf patron and National Association of the Deaf’s lawyer, Michael Stein, and Chicago’s own deaf lawyer, Howard Rosenblum, on Deaf/HH access issues at Lollapalooza, an annual musical festival in Chicago. As a result, Lollapalooza (C3 Presents) now has designated areas with qualified ASL interpreters in the appropriate proximity, along with Deaf volunteers who are able to communicate in ASL.
The Pearls: Rosa Lee
Feb 25th
Rosa Lee is a Deaf artist, known most recently for her solo performance work in The Rosa Lee Show and as co-founder of the word-of-hand magazine KISSFIST. For more information on KISSFIST Magazine, visit at http://kiss-fist.com/.
She guides deaf youth in art movement and drama throughout the country and prominently appears on various DVDs/VHS tapes as a sign model. (Be sure to stop by the Statue of Liberty in New York City and ask for ASL tour via video player. You’ll find her there!)
Currently, she spends most of her time with her newborn son and her husband in New England.
The Pearls: Claudia Gordon
Feb 18th
Claudia Gordon, the first Black deaf female attorney in the U.S., has been an advocate for people with disabilities since high school. It was her desire to address societal barriers faced by people with disabilities that motivated her to pursue a legal education and career. Since graduating from law school and being admitted to the Maryland Bar, Claudia has conducted numerous empowerment and legal education outreach and training to communities and organizations in both the U.S. and St. Thomas USVI.
