The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. Claudia L. Gordon, Esq. The White House She currently works in the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Thanks to the values that were instilled in me during my formative years, I understood then that those voices of doubt neither dictated my worth nor my capacity. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame, a Masters of Education from the University of Notre Dame, and a Masters of Public Policy in Education from Vanderbilt University. Have a tip or story idea? The NAD operates on a shoe-string budget and the law center staff fluctuates from two to four full time attorneys working tirelessly to keep pace with incoming discrimination claims and requests for technical assistance from among the 36 million deaf and hard of hearing individuals in America. I thought I was the only deaf person in the world. And so as a result, at age eight Claudia Gordon became deaf. Along with her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, she also earned a spot in The Patricia Roberts Harris Public Affairs Fellowship, Golden Key National Honor Society, and Political Science Honor Society. While working with impoverished and minority deaf people, she became attracted to the prospect of working in a Federal office. My aunt Mildred is a teacher, and as such she instilled in us the importance of a good education. Its that reality of our jobs knowing that we have a window of opportunity to effect such sweeping and systematic change that makes me proud of the work we do. Claudia L. Gordon is the first deaf Black female attorney in the United States and the first deaf graduate of American University's law school. Sounds Like Home: Growing Up Black and Deaf in the South by Mary Herring Wright The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure by Carolyn McCaskill, (via DeafPeople, image: Exchange Photos via Flikr). Claudia Gordon is the first deaf African American woman to become a lawyer. #21. Claudia L. Gordonwas born in Jamaica. First Name Claudia #8. She is an intelligent and talented attorney who comes from the advocacy world. Claudia was a member of the Obama Administration from December 2009 to January 2017 initially . At DHS Claudia is able to address misconceptions people have about those with disabilities, some of them similar to the stereotypes and erroneous beliefs she faced in Jamaica. However, at OFCCP we are going to the public particularly to leaders and grassroots advocates in the disability community before we even craft the policy changes so that they can weigh in on our efforts and shape the laws that will directly impact their lives. A domestic servant with only an eighth grade education, she literally scrubbed her way to America one garment at a time. OFCCP recently published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking input from the public on ways to strengthen regulations for implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires Federal contractors to take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities. Want more stories like this? None of the doctors did anything to really help or make clear what. The information provided by WeCo (The Wehrman Collaborative, LLC) is not intended or designed to be used as, or take the place of, legal advice. With her fellowship project sponsored by the National Association of the Deaf, she "provided direct representation and advocacy for poor deaf persons, with a particular emphasis placed on outreach to members of minority groups". $200 per post at $10/CPM. - Gallaudet University", "Centene Diversity & Inclusion | People With Disabilities", "CDT Project on Disability Rights & Algorithmic Fairness Advisory Committee", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Claudia_L._Gordon&oldid=1140822421, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, DeafKidz International, Global Ambassador, Centene National Disability Advisory Council, Center for Democracy and Technology Project on Disability Rights & Algorithmic Fairness, Advisory Committee, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 23:32. Get to know her by reading this post. Which is exactly the type of work Gordon was driven to do: I am motivated by knowing that although progress is being made towards inclusion and access, there is still a great deal more work to be done. After leaving the OFCCP U.S. Department of Labors Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. At AU, Gordon specialized in disability rights law and policy. Claudia is a Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). As she became deaf during the summer, the school and her parents decided that Claudia couldn't go back to school in the fall. Her mother immigrated to the South Bronx so that she could earn Claudia L. Gordon is the first deaf African-American female attorney in the United States. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Handspeak trademarked. Teaming up with others who have similar disabilities and being vocal about your needs are necessary in order to be properly prepared., American Bar Association Voorde recently returned to her hometown of South Bend, Indiana. Claudia L. Gordon is Director of Government and Compliance with T-Mobile Accessibility a Business Unit within T-Mobile that offers communication products and services to reduce or eliminate communication barriers for customers with disabilities. I felt that a job with the Federal government would more effectively allow me to affect the actual enforcement of laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, thereby alleviating the blatant discrimination that people with disabilities continue to face. She was also the associate director at the White House Office of Public Engagement. Previously she held a position in the White House Office of Public Engagement as the Public Engagement Advisor to the Disability Community for less than a year She won a Skadden Fellowship for2000-2002, and worked as a staff attorney at the NAD Law and Advocacy Center and a consulting attorney with the National Council on Disability. How did you become interested in working for the Federal government? 49 Year Old Aries #13. Disclamer: the number about Claudia L. Gordon's Instagram salary income and Claudia L. Gordon's Instagram net worth are just estimation based on publicly available information about Instagram's monetization programs, it is by no . Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden. As she became deaf during the summer, the school and her parents decided that Claudia couldn't go back to school in the fall. She is also the first deaf student to graduate in 2000, from the American University (AU) Washington College of Law, in Washington, DC. Claudia L. Gordon The first deaf African American female attorney in the United States Birthday: Claudia L. Gordon was born on May 14, 1946 Background Information Childhood: Claudia L. Gordon was born in rural Jamaica. So I wanted to highlight Claudia L. Gordon, the first known deaf black American woman to earn aJuris Doctor. It was there that I confronted the truth that passing legislation is one thing but actual implementation with enforcement is another. Meet other fascinating administration women by checking out our post on Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs Rebecca Blank and our post on Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathleen Martinez. She was deaf at the age of eight. Despite all the hardships, they created a positive environment in which all of us children could be properly nourished with a sense of responsibility, dignity and pride. She didn't believe she was deaf because she had been reading peoples lip and thought she was hearing their voice. Yes, its a cumbersome name thats all-too-typical of Federal speak. And though its not as well known as its sister agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice, OFCCP has powerful investigative and regulatory authorities for protecting workers, promoting diversity and enforcing the law.The agency was born out of the landmark civil rights laws of the 1960s and over its 45-year history has expanded in authority to include protections for women, veterans and people with disabilities. If you have questions regarding how this information may affect you or your organization legally, please seek the advice of professional legal counsel. I dealt with discrimination and oppression on a daily basis. Rifkind is passionate about the arts and serves as Treasurer for the Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium. Gordon has held senior leadership positions with Sprint Corporation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Council on Disability, and the National Association of the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center. This allowed Gordon to provide Direct representation and advocacy for poor deaf persons with a particular emphasis on outreach to those who are members of minority groups. Claudia Gordon became a consultant to the National Council on Disability, then joined the Department of Homeland Security. Claudia was appointed as the Public Engagement Advisor for the Disability Community in the Office of Public Engagement at the White House in 2013. Become a subscriber and support the site! from Johns Hopkins University.Emily Voorde, Member, National Council on DisabilityEmily Voorde is an Associate Director with NEWCO Strategies, a full-service strategic consulting firm that helps progressive campaigns, organizations, and companies achieve their goals. After law school, she was a staff attorney for the National Association of the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center and a consulting attorney with the National Council on Disability. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. Claudia Gordon is the third featured guest in the Council on Women and Girls: Meet the Women of the Administration series. Not being around or in a community that supported deafness became a problem: I thought I was the only deaf person in the world. In Jamaica, deaf and disabled persons are stigmatized and Gordon remembered that a deaf woman who lived in the area was called dummy, by local children who threw rocks at her. I'm delighted by the growing February 29, 2016 by Sue Ann Rodriquez 1 Comment. [28], Gordon is a member of organizations, such as the Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority[34], Gordon is a public speaker on a broad range of topics primarily pertaining to disability civil rights law, non-discrimination and equal access; grassroots leadership and advocacy; and disability, youth and women empowerment. Prior to joining the Law Center, Benally was the CEO of a Residential Treatment Center for Native American Youth that successfully integrated Navajo culture into western-based mental health treatment.Benally is the current President of the Navajo Nation Advisory Council on Disabilities, a former Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and a former Member of the New Mexico Developmental Disability Planning Council. We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better. [5] She suddenly lost her sense of hearing at the age of eight. On a personal level, Ive had so many wonderful moments at the Department that its difficult to pick just one. YOU HAVE 20,000 FOLLOWERS: $100 per post at a $5/CPM. 2023 TV GUIDE, A FANDOM COMPANY. She'll tell you she's the first Black, deaf woman attorney in the United States. Given the fact that nearly one in four American workers is employed by a company that receives Federal funds for contracted work, stronger Section 503 regulations, backed by real enforcement, will ensure that more people with disabilities have equal employment opportunity in the labor force. People believed I was unable to learn and succeed simply because I could not hear, she recalls, these experiences convinced me that I wanted to be a vehicle for change. Claudia decided on law school to help her pursue such change, attending American University, Washington College of Law to study disability rights law and policy. [2] Prior to joining the telecom industry, Gordon held various roles in the public sector from 2002 to 2017most notably as the associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement, where she advised White House offices and senior officials including former President Barack Obama on disability issues. Foreign-born deaf lawyer uses opportunity in America to help those with disabilities during emergencies. $140 per post at $7/CPM. Born in Jamaica, Gordon went deaf around the age of eight years old after she suddenly developed severe pain in her middle ears. She is also the first deaf person to work at the White House in an detailee capacity. Use WeCos Library. . At the time, she was in the care of her elder sister Mildred Taylor, a teacher. When my service to the President is over and I have to face my family, my friends and my communities as an African American, as a woman and as a deaf person what I hope to look back on is not a single moment, but rather a series of opportunities where I used my seat at the table and my voice in the decision-making process to improve the lives of those who seek to redeem the promise of America, the promise that brought my mother here all those years ago. November 1st, 2016
By my junior year in high school, I made it known to all that I would go to law school and become an attorney. I want to take the opportunity to remind you all; just in case some" Senior Accessibility Strategy Partner at T-Mobile Speaker, Consultant, Mentor Seen in Obama White House, Google, BBC, Washington Post, and TED Talk ("Owning Otherness"). The Council on Women and Girls is delighted to feature Claudia Gordon from the Department of Labor in our Meet the Women of the Administration series. [13], Notably, Gordon was deployed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 where she served as the disability and elderly populations civil rights subject matter expert at the Joint Field Office (JFO). She currently serves as the Senior Accessibility Strategist with T-Mobile US, Inc. Claudia L. Gordon is the first deaf Black female attorney in the United States. Director of Government and Compliance with T-Mobile Accessibility. Claudia L. Gordon Director of Government and Compliance with Sprint Accessibility Claudia L. Gordon is the Director of Government and Compliance with Sprint Accessibility, a Business Unit within Sprint Corporation that offers communication products and services to reduce or eliminate communication barriers for customers with disabilities. Born in Jamaica, Gordon went deaf around the age of eight years old after she suddenly developed severe pain in her middle ears. Some cited my deafness as an obstacle rendering it impractical if not impossible to pursue a law degree. A resource blog for SLIP students by SLIP students. Gordon is a native of Jamaica, graduate of Howard University, and graduate of the American Universitys Washington College of Law.Risa Jaz Rifkind, Member, National Council on DisabilityRisa Jaz Rifkind is a justice advocate who seeks to make change by shifting access to power and influence. sites@gsu - Blogs for Georgia State University. Claudia remembers how she was treated in Jamaica after going deaf. After becoming deaf, Gordon experienced discrimination in Jamaica as deaf and disabled persons are stigmatized. Get to know her by reading this post. In 2021, Governor Wolf appointed him to serve on the State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation. Claudia Gordon was born in rural Jamaica. Member of National Black Deaf Advocates. Gordon is also associated with the National Coalition for Disability Rights , where she is part of their national governance. She assisted in the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness, monitoring how Federal agencies worked together to ensure that deaf and disabled persons were included in emergency-preparedness plans. She was a woman of profound faith and perseverance up until the very day she lost her six year battle with ovarian cancer in 2000. She took her to a clinic and healers, to no avail. Many shrugged off my grand intention as wishful thinking. NOT JUST COUNTRY FLORAL & GIFTS LLC is a Texas Domestic Limited-Liability Company (Llc) filed on September 28, 2012. Claudia L. Gordon is Director of Government and Compliance with T-Mobile Accessibility a Business Unit within T-Mobile that offers communication products and services to reduce or eliminate communication barriers for customers with disabilities. I want to contribute to a better society where there is more understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities and where the same opportunities are provided for all." Claudia Gordon is a lot of things. Claudia received a B. Progress has been made due to a combination of an increase of concern for safety in a post-9/11 world and the success of the disability rights movement; however, there are still some gaps that need to be filled. Former staff attorney of nonprofit National Association of the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center. He is currently employed with the Native American Disability Law Center as the Community and Government Liaison engaged in Disability Systems Advocacy with the Navajo Nation and other Native American Tribes. kkitt1, Your email address will not be published. Her career began as an AmeriCorps member and 2nd grade teacher in Pascagoula, Mississippi. For three years, Gordon was a member of the only deaf mock trial team in New York and the only deaf high school to ever win the competition. My work at Labor is with an agency called the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. The OFCCP has powerful investigative and regulatory authorities for protecting workers, promoting diversity, and enforcing the law. What I do know is that the life of this woman ostracized as dummy almost became my own but for my mothers triumph in successfully bringing me to America by the time I was eleven years old. At 11, she moved to the United States and attended Lexington School for the Deaf in New York. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/09/30/president-biden-announces-key-appointments-to-boards-and-commissions-9/?utm_source=link, Office of the United States Trade Representative. At age 11, she attended Lexington School for the Deaf and learned American Sign Language (ASL) there. Recently, what has been new and exciting about your work? He is the father of two children, a daughter, Kimmi Braddy, and a son, Theo Braddy Jr.Claudia L. Gordon, Member, National Council on DisabilityClaudia Gordon is a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities with nearly 30 years of versatile professional expertise, with a personal mission to level the playing field and ensure the same opportunities are provided for all. Gordon shared her ongoing quest to create spaces in society for seldom-heard voices in her TEDx Talk: Owning Otherness.[35]. Being around other deaf children, and being embraced by a community taught Gordon that her disability was not the end of the road. NCD is comprised of a team of Presidential and Congressional appointees, an Executive Director appointed by the Chair, and a full-time professional staff.NCDs mission is to be a trusted advisor, in collaboration with people with disabilities, to: the President; Congress; Federal entities; State, tribal communities, and local governments; and other entities and organizations. It's time to renew your membership and keep access to free CLE, valuable publications and more. Her mother immigrated to the South Bronx, in New York, so that she could earn a better living, and planned to reunite with her children as soon as she could. [15], Gordon was part of the Presidential Delegation of Barack Obama sent to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Summer Paralympics. Many shrugged off my grand intention as wishful thinking. Read the latest blog posts from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Check out the most popular infographics and videos, View the photo of the day and other galleries, Tune in to White House events and statements as they happen, See the lineup of artists and performers at the White House, Eisenhower Executive Office Building Tour, Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs Rebecca Blank. In truth, I was raised by a community of women. In 2004, she was named secretary of the Board for the Lexington Board of Directors. In Jamaica, Gordon could not get an education, so she moved to the United States where she attended first a public school, then the Lexington School and Center for the Deaf in New York. Facebook gives people the power. For each of the 28 days of February, we at The Mary Sue will have a post about a black woman you should know aboutsome you may have heard of, some a little bit more obscure, and some fictional who still deserve a lot of love. She took her to a clinic and healers, to no avail. Claudia also answers to Caudia Gordon, Claudia Haller Gordon, Claudia H Gordon, Glaudia H Gordon and Claudia Haller Gordon, and perhaps a couple of other names. In 2020, she served on the Disability Inclusion Funds grantmaking committee.Previously, Rifkind was Program Manager at The Chicago Community Trust, where she developed their disability inclusion priorities and practices and managed several disability inclusion initiatives, including the Disabilities Fund, ADA 25 Advancing Leadership, and ADA 25 Chicago.
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