HLAA Hearing Loss Magazine July/August 2010 - 6

By Brenda Battat

HLAA Honored with Leadership Award
he Hearing Loss Association of America was honored by the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC)—formerly the League for the Hard of Hearing—at their 100th Annual Meeting in New York City on May 25, 2010. I was delighted to be there representing HLAA to accept the Sheldon Williams Leadership Award that was bestowed by his son, Donald M. Itzkoff, Esq. It was heartwarming to see so many members from the area’s HLAA Chapters at the event in support of our receipt of this prestigious award. The award honors the memory of Sheldon Williams Itzkoff, CHC’s longstanding board member, friend and advocate. It recognizes an exceptional leader in the field of hearing health. Cited was “HLAA’s wide-ranging, highly-effective advocacy that exemplifies deep commitment.” This award gives us a chance to take stock and celebrate what we have all done together as an organization at the national level with our chapters and state organizations. CHC was founded in 1910 by educator Edward B. Nitchie to improve the quality of life for people of all ages with hearing loss. Since that time, CHC has helped more than one million and a quarter infants, children and adults reach their potential. The Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award was given to Ruth R. Green, the much-loved executive director emerita of the CHC and close professional colleague of Howard E. “Rocky” Stone, HLAA’s founder. Her award was presented by the grandson of Eleanor Roosevelt who was a passionate supporter of the League. The Edward Nitchie Award was given to the Parton Family who became strong advocates and educators for the needs of people with hearing loss when their daughter, Caitlin Parton, became profoundly deaf at 22 months from meningitis. They chose a cochlear implant for their child when it was controversial and were profiled on a segment of 60 Minutes. Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of the City Brenda Battat and Don Itzkoff, board of New York, proclaimed May 25, 2010, as member and son of Sheldon Itzkoff. “Center for Hearing and Communication Photo by Ron Myerson. Day” in recognition of their 100 years of service to people with hearing loss in the city. To learn more about CHC go to www.chchearing.org.

From the Executive Director’s Desk

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Brenda Battat is executive director of HLAA. She can be reached at battat@ hearingloss.org or visit her blog at http://brendabattat.blogspot.com/.

6 Hearing Loss Magazine

HLAA Hearing Loss Magazine July/August 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of HLAA Hearing Loss Magazine July/August 2010