Marlee Matlin doesn”t do anything halfway, including leaving an impression at Mississippi University for Women.
The youngest woman ever to win an Academy Award for a leading role was on campus Thursday to meet with students and speak at the 2010 Welty Gala. Matlin, who has been deaf since she was 18 months old, spoke often of the confidence instilled in her by her family and her subsequent refusal to allow her deafness to become a hindrance.
“Even though I was different than everyone, I had a will to make something happen for myself,” Matlin told the crowd gathered for the gala in the Pope Banquet Room.
Earlier in the day, Matlin held a less formal hour-long question-and-answer session with students from MUW”s Gordy Honors College. Speaking through her longtime sign language interpreter Jack Jason, Matlin had students enthralled.
“She”s very inspiring,” said Alex Woolbright, 19, from Columbus, a junior in MUW”s history program. “She makes you realize anything is attainable.”
Culinary arts freshman Dustin Vance, 18, from Bruce, was unfamiliar with Matlin before hearing her speak and was amazed by her accomplishments.
“I didn”t realize how famous she was. She was on (television shows) “The West Wing” and “Family Guy.” It really impressed me someone like that could do so much,” said Vance. “I”m perfectly fine and I haven”t done that much with my life. Where have I been all my life?”
Kristen Keeton, 20, a speech pathology major from Calhoun City, had read Matlin”s autobiography “I”ll Scream Later” prior to meeting her Thursday. She was especially impressed by the relationship the two shared through their unique communication.
“She talks about Jack in the book, how they know each other inside and out. He”s pretty much finishing her sentences. They”re talking through each other,” said Keeton. “It makes me definitely want to get into sign language. It”s not required here but I”m going to do it this summer.”
Another recurring theme in Matlin”s presentation at the gala was the discrimination faced by herself and deaf people around the world.
“Attitudes are changing every day but there”s still discrimination,” said Matlin.
Even after winning the Academy Award for “Children of A Lesser God,” she was devastated after one influential critic dubbed the win a “pity vote.”
She later received criticism from a small portion of the deaf community after speaking, rather than signing, the names of actors and movies years later while presenting at the Academy Awards.
Fortunately, Matlin had family and mentors, including actor Henry Winkler, who played the Fonz on “Happy Days,” who bolstered her confidence at every turn.
The actress is now an occasional political activist, pushing for rights for the disabled. She played a role in President Barack Obama”s recent signing of the 21st Century Telecommunications Act, which facilitates the inclusion of closed captioning for television shows broadcasted over the internet.
Matlin also makes time in her schedule to continue acting, run her own production company and appear at motivational speaking engagements throughout the year.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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