Manuscripts - Papers of Deborah Meranski Sonnenstrahl, 1882-2002

MSS 141

Papers of Deborah Meranski Sonnenstrahl, 1882-2002

Sonnenstrahl, Deborah M., 1935-

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary
Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 141
Creator:
Title: Papers of Deborah M. Sonnenstrahl, 1882-2002
Quantity: 3 Linear Feet (6 document boxes)
Abstract:
Note: This document last updated 2008 February 7.

Administrative Information
Acquisition Information: The Deborah M. Sonnenstrahl collection was given to the Gallaudet University Archives by Deborah Sonnenstrahl in 2003.
Processed by: Octavian Robinson. 2005.
Processing Note:
Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.
Related Material in the Archives:

• Photographs
• Deborah M. Sonnenstrahl [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits
• Vertical Files
• Deborah M. Sonnenstrahl. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Biographical

Biographical Sketch
Deborah Meranski was born deaf on October 13, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from Gallaudet College in 1958 with a Bachelor’s degree in Art. During her junior year at Gallaudet, she married Alfred Sonnenstrahl and pregnant with her first child, Samuel. She first started working at Gallaudet in 1965 as a professor in Art History and taught for 30 years. Then, Sonnenstrahl received her Master’s in Art History in 1976 from the Catholic University of America. Also, she got her Museum Studies Professional Certificate in 1985 and Ph.D. in Museum Studies in 1987 from New York University.

Sonnenstrahl has two children, Samuel and Beth Sonnenstrahl. She is well known for her published works, titled “Why Art History in the Education of the Deaf” and “Deaf Artists in America: Colonial to Contemporary.” Sonnenstrahl got involved in several organizations and directed several plays, including the prize-winning one-act play for the National Association of the Deaf Convention in 1970. She won several awards, including the 1992 District of Columbia Professor of the Year and numerous awards at Gallaudet. She changed back to her maiden name and is currently living in Florida.

Scope and Content
The Deborah M. Sonnenstrahl papers include approximately 5,100 items. The majority of papers are about Deaf artists’ background and their life work. These papers are manuscript for her book “Deaf Artists in America.” Most papers are copied from articles and books between 1882 and 1990s. Her correspondences are included between the 1980s and 2002.

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists
No Series