TheLouise B.
Miller
Memorial
With the Louise B. Miller Pathways and Gardens, Gallaudet seeks to not only raise awareness of the Black deaf experience and unlock paths to freedom by further advocating for Black deaf children, but also to remember and honor the persistence that occurred and is still required to address several drivers of inequality that remain in American society today—hopefully arriving at a place of collective healing of past injustice.
Honoring and Advancing the Legacy of Mrs. Miller
The site will serve as a gathering place to explore the historically overlooked story of Mrs. Miller, and as a space to have deep reflection, discussion and reckoning around the path forward to address truth, reconciliation, and racial equity. The aim is to create a visually compelling space that is deaf-centric and of interest to many—it will connect with Washington D.C.’s African American Heritage Trail and serve as a companion experience to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The Louise B. Miller Pathways and Gardens will feature a winding pathway—the Freedom Path—that leads visitors through the gardens. The ramble is an intentional design, representing the indirectness of the route that we know many have had to take to freedom. Importantly, the Freedom Path will feature five Black American Sign Language-themed sculptures. Not only is Gallaudet the world’s sole bilingual university using both American Sign Language and English, but we also embrace and study Black American Sign Language, a distinct variety of American Sign Language. The five themed sculptures will represent:
Grief An emotion expressed almost universally among Black deaf individuals when they reflect on their educational and life experiences
Reclamation Reclaiming our history and space on the Gallaudet campus
Assertion Taking control of our path to redemption
Defiance The strength of the Black community to continue to persevere in spite of significant, real obstacles
Empowerment Laying the groundwork and creating pathways for future success
Take Action Today
America is at a critical moment in history where, as a nation, it is more open to learning, understanding, acknowledging, and owning the wrongs done to and persisting against Black people. While many have come to better understand this plight, many still don’t know about the challenges that the Black deaf community has faced. Those hardships represent a complex convergence of oppression and racial discrimination, communication barriers, and exclusion from both national civil rights organizations and national organizations advocating for deaf individuals.
By sharing and honoring the untold stories of the Black deaf community and modeling the path of Louise B. Miller, we can create a more inclusive future, including a better life for Black deaf children everywhere.
Our work continues. Join us.
Memorial Progress
Our timeline at a glance.
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2018 – 2020
Designing
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2021 – Today
Fundraising
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TBD
Groundbreaking
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TBD
Construction
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TBD
Opening
