THE MAY BOOTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND

(For Michigan Residents Only)

Deaf & Hearing Impaired Services, Inc., in its effort to provide the highest quality of comprehensive services for the Deaf and hard of hearing populations of southeast Michigan and to expand the number of Sign Language Interpreters to serve the populations, has established THE MAY BOOTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

The purpose of the fund is to provide two scholarships, per year, to students studying in the field of sign language interpreting. Each student applicant must have a goal of obtaining an Associate Degree or Bachelor of Arts Degree through an Interpreter Training Program or Sign Language Studies Program respectively.

HISTORY:

MAY BOOTH is a hearing daughter of Deaf parents (Harry and Mary Friday). She grew up on a farm in Royal Oak, Michigan approximately 80 years ago. There were no 'hearing people' within 30 miles of the farm. Therefore, her native language was the language of her Deaf parents, i.e. American Sign Language. She did not speak until she was five years old. She was evaluated as mentally impaired but as she learend English, she was double and triple promoted. In 1960, May Booth received an Associate Degree from Oakland University.

As a native 'signer' and the oldest 'hearing' daughter of Deaf parents, May very quickly became an Interpreter for her Deaf parents, other family members and their friends. Very quickly May was Interpreting on a daily basis.

She found time to marry her high school sweetheart, Paul Booth (married 50+ years). They have three children, Linda, Ronald and Jolene (8 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren). May continued interpreting on a volunteer basis. In 1969 she was approached by the Tri County Deaf Senior Citizens organization and asked to be its Director/Interpreter. The TCDSC Board Meetings were held in her home.

In 1973 she successfully wrote her first grant to the Area Agency on Aging 1-B to provide services to Deaf older adults. She began pioneering the field of Interpreting for services to Deaf senior citizens. Continuously she worked for the Deaf community establishing satellite sites in southeast Michigan where Deaf adults could come for group programs and individual client assistance. The satellite sites, under her directorship, developed tremendously with two of the sites having over 100 Deaf per meeting. Additional interpreting staff was hired.

There is great respect and admiration throughout the Nation for the work May Booth accomplished. In 1982, she was recognized for her excellent service and the large Deaf constituency she served by the Michigan State Office on Aging. She was selected and served as a State Commissioner under the administration of Governor Milliken. (The first time she flew in an airplane, was in the State plane. She was seated in the cockpit for a 'birds eye view' of the land ... an initiation she did not expect).

Mrs. Booth is especially noted for her excellence in Interpreting. She received one of the first Comprehensive Skills Certificate from the Performance Testing Board of the National Registry of Interpreters. The Certificate requires CEU's (continued education units) to stay in effect. May Booth has been a Nationally Certified Interpreter for more than 50 years. She maintains current National certification.

Additionally, May Booth was honored by Madonna University for her 23 years of Interpreting at its campus in Livonia, Michigan. May Booth has boundless energy working the satellite sites and Interpreting in the evenings at Madonna University. She 'retired' in 1986 and continues Interpreting today at age 84. May Booth is a role model and mentor for students studying to be Sign Language Interpreters.

In recognition of her many accomplishments but most directly for her love and passion for the Deaf community and the Interpreters that serve it -
Deaf & Hearing Impaired Services, Inc. has established the MAY BOOTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
to assist and encourage students studying in the field of Sign Language Studies/Interpreter Training Programs.

Because of your support of the services for Deaf and hard of hearing persons in southeast Michigan, your recognition of the need of more Sign Language Interpreters, and your Recognition and Respect of MAY BOOTH AND HER SERVICE, Deaf & Hearing Impaired Services, Inc. is requesting your tax deductible donation to the MAY BOOTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

We thank you, in advance, for your support.

Sincerely,

Carl E. Sprandlin, Board Chairperson
Deaf & Hearing Impaired Services, Inc.

Linda M. Booth, President
Deaf & Hearing Impaired Services, Inc.