Pink Wings of Hope  

            Pink Wings of Hope was founded on October 11^th, 2009 in Missouri.  Pink Wings of Hope is an organization that provides support groups to all deaf and hard-of-hearing survivors, newly diagnosed breast cancer and/or any other cancer victims. Pink Wings of Hope chose the butterfly as their symbol because butterflies cannot hear like deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Educational videos done in American Sign Language, stories of survivors, and supports groups are offered to deaf and hard of hearing women across the United States.  Pink Wings of Hope is helping isolated deaf and hard of hearing women cope, understand, and manage their cancer. Deaf and hard-of-hearing women need a support group like this because it provides information and perspective from other deaf and hard-of-hearing women that they can relate to.

Pink wings of hope. (2009). Retrieved from http://pink.deafinc.org/index.html

The USA Deaf Sports Federation

          The USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) is the national association of deaf sports in the United States serving men, women, and youth. It is recognized by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf. USADSF promotes fitness among the deaf and hard of hearing members of all ages.

            In 1945 the American Athletic Union of the Deaf was created after the Akron Club of the Deaf in Ohio hosted the first national basketball tournament (USADSF, 2011). In 1957 the organization was renamed as the American Athletic Association of the Deaf. However, in 1997 the name was changed again to the USA Deaf Sports Federation.

To participate in USADSF competitions, eligible participants must have a “hearing loss of 55 decibels or greater in the better ear (three frequency pure tone average at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hertz)” (USADSF, 2011).  During the competition events, athletes cannot wear hearing aids or cochlear implants. Athletes who do not use sign language are still able to participate and compete.

The USADSF offers the following sports:

■Badminton

■Basketball

■Bowling

■Curling

■Cycling

■Golf

■Ice Hockey

■Martial Arts

■Orienteering

■Shooting

■Soccer

■Ski & Snowboard

■Swimming

■Table Tennis

■Tennis

■Track & Field

■Triathlon

■Water Polo

■Volleyball

■Softball

USA Deaf Sports Federation. (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.usdeafsports.org/

Phi Kappa Zeta

            Phi Kappa Zeta is a national sorority whose mission is to support Deaf women from all walks of life, to thrive in global society through advocacy, sisterhood, and literary appreciation.

Phi Kappa Zeta was chartered in 1892, in order for the first group of woman at Gallaudet University to come together and escape ridicule and hazing from the male student body. Today, Phi Kappa Zeta is a safe place for Deaf woman to share in sisterhood, and give back to the Deaf community all over the United States.  

Delhi Foundation of Deaf Women

" target="">http://

                The Delhi Foundation of Deaf Women was started in 1973, for the benefits of Deaf women to “help them help themselves.” Some of the activities they did in order to raise funds for their organization included the sales of book marks, performances, talent shows and, lectures. The foundation acted as a catalyst, to increase awareness of much needed organizations for deaf women and spreading this knowledge to other states across India. In 1986 their new mission statement became to spread the awareness of the need for similar organizations across all nations. In 1991 this organization became capable of offering many benefits to the deaf women of Delhi, including training in computer courses and various vocational skills. The structure of the organization today fits the similar body of a recreation center. To the left is a video containing a fundraiser event using Indian sign language. On their website they have an animated image that shows ASL compared to ISL.

Deaf Women United (DWU)

               Deaf Women United, DWU, was founded in 1985 in order to provide women with the necessary tools such as employment, culture, education, and politics to incorporate in their everyday life. DWU provides great resources to help with networking, by holding workshops for all aspects of life. These workshops show systems for communal and supportive training to help stimulate personal growth, business management, and provide advocacy for a person. The DWU collaborates with Gallaudet Leadership Conferences every 2 years to disperse updated information on recent events and can help provide a better way of operating in social setting. They have a mentor program that ‘provides Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard-of-Hearing and late deafness women to pair with an expert” to get insight in their area of interest. The conference are a week long, taught by “experienced Deaf women” to provide attendees the tools needed to facilitate communication with individuals in the work place.

DAWN (Deaf Abused Women's Network)

           DAWN, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1999 by five Deaf women in the Washington metropolitan area to end domestic and sexual violence in the Deaf community. Over the past 14 years, DAWN has served 300 Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind survivors who have experienced this violence or stalking. DAWN continues to serve women in the Deaf community, but has broadened to include male and female members of the LGBT communities.

           This organization is built on educating the Deaf community about domestic/sexual violence and providing survivors of abuse with the help they need to heal and move forward. Such as case management, peer advocacy, counseling and support groups.

Alameda County Family Justice Center

               It is hard enough for a hearing woman in an abusive relationship, but it is even harder for a deaf women. Statistics show that 1 in every 4 deaf women will be a victim of domestic violence (ADWAS). The Alameda County Family Justice Center specializes in caring for deaf women escaping abusive relationships. There are many reasons why deaf women have a harder time escaping their abusive partner. A deaf women’s biggest fear is exposure to the community. Deaf communities are much more tight-knit than hearing communities, so deaf women are terrified that the community would find out and judge them. Some women are not even educated about what “domestic violence” actually entails, and many centers that help survivors do not even reach out to deaf people unless they are specifically geared towards women with disabilities. More organizations need to be designated for women who are deaf and need help escaping an abusive relationship, and there needs to be more educational opportunities for deaf women.

"www.acfjc.org." . ALameda County Family Justice Center, n.d. Web. 12 Nov 2013. <http://www.acfjc.org/>.

Deaf Women of Ohio

          The organization began in April of 2004 with the elections of office and board members. The goal of the organization is to raise money in order to make donations to local organizations that serve Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf/Blind women. The mission of the organization is to support Deaf and hard of hearing women and girls in central Ohio by providing education, inspiration, mentoring, resources, and to provide interests of Deaf Women in Ohio. Membership is composed of Deaf and hard of hearing women, although hearing women who support the organization’s goals can become supporting members. Supporting members can attend meetings and serve on committees but cannot vote nor will they have a voice in the matter of voting. The funds that the organization raises can only be donated to organizations or agencies that serve the Deaf, hard of hearing or Deaf-Blind in Ohio.

Deaf Women of Rochester

               Deaf Women of Rochester is an organization that started in 1981. DWR began as a support group under the sponsorship of the Mental Health Chapter of the Health Association of Rochester. Workshops were set up to bring together deaf women from all over Rochester who shared common problems that are manifested not only by femaleness, but also by deafness. The DWR started off as being an independent group that gained their profits from fundraising. In 1986, DWR was functioning as an independent group, operating on fees collected from workshops and profits from fundraisers. DWR continued to strive for the betterment of deaf women in our society. The DWR officially became an organization in 1991, serving as a program under the Empire State Association of the Deaf (ESAD). In 1977, DWR gained incorporation status, and soon became an tax exempt. In the summer, DWR hosted the Deaf Women United National Conference in Rochester. In 2006, DWR celebrated their 25^th anniversary. The DWR has been a successful organization for deaf women for the past 32 years. The organization still plan events and give equal opportunities for deaf women.

Foster, A. (2012). Deaf Women of Rochester. 

retrieved from: http://www.deafwomenrochester.org/

Image retrieved from: http://www.deafwomenrochester.org/