March Meeting Recap: From Earthquakes to Birthday Cake! Part 2

The fun is just starting! Here’s a recap of the second half of meeting.

(In case you missed the transcript link in part 1, you can view the transcript here)

Following a long break, we reconvened for chapter business. Our wonderful Wendi Washington, Walk4Hearing Team Captain, gave an update on this year’s 5k fundraising event, which will be on Saturday, June 8, at Marina Green Park in Long Beach. Registration is now open, so be sure to join our mighty LA Stars team and start fundraising now!

Next, Jenna spoke about AB 598, a proposed State bill that would require insurance companies to cover hearing aids for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in California— a huge issue, since only 1 child in 6 can afford the cost. Past president Heather Lehr has already hosted one postcard blast, and we may be doing more advocacy soon…so stay tuned!

We then reviewed our upcoming meeting dates; the next one is a rap session on April 27th…got any ideas for topics? Or a location for our traditional annual Memorial Day Weekend picnic on May 25th? Please email: info@hlaa-la.org

Our very own Amazing Grace, a hearing loss community pioneer and champion, is turning 100!

And finally…(drum roll, please)…we celebrated the Centennial of our incredible “Amazing Grace” Tiessen for her upcoming 100th birthday on April 4th!!! Steering Committee member Sandy Blake guided us through Grace’s inspiring life story, which includes earning three undergraduate degrees and raising her three children as a single mom. Among her many achievements as an advocate, champion, and mentor for those with hearing loss, Grace has been an HLAA member since 1984, helped to create the L.A. chapter 15 years ago, and served as the Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly Hearing Loss Californian newsletter for many years—well into her 90s.

In 2003, she was recognized by the National HLAA organization with its highest honor, the Keystone Award in 2003.

Before we all devoured a delicious chocolate cake, it was announced that our chapter’s new scholarship for college-bound high school students with hearing loss will henceforth be named the Grace Tiessen Scholarship, as a tribute to this remarkable woman who has done so much for our community.

We love and appreciate you so much, Grace! Happy 100th Birthday, and here’s to 100 more!