In honor of Black History Month this February, we are highlighting the stories of Black WPSD graduates. This article features two distinguished alumni: Ida (Gary) Hampton (Class of 1951) and Nathie Marbury (Class of 1962).
Ida (Gary) Hampton
Ida Wynette Gray, a Pennsylvania native, enrolled at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD) in 1949 and graduated in 1951. She made history as the first Black Deaf woman to enroll at Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University) in Washington, D.C., overcoming significant barriers in the process.
At the time, Gallaudet had not admitted Black women until the 1950s, making Ida’s enrollment a groundbreaking moment. During her years at Gallaudet (1952–1957), she became the first Black member of Delta Epsilon Sorority. In 1957, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, becoming the first Black Deaf woman to achieve this milestone at Gallaudet.
Professional Career
After graduation, Ida dedicated her life to education. She began teaching at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB), an institution that was still segregated by race at the time. Committed to furthering her expertise, she earned a master’s degree in special education for children with learning disabilities from the University of North Florida. She taught for 32 years before transitioning to preschool education, retiring in 1989. She continues to reside in Florida.
Honors and Recognition
Ida’s trailblazing achievements have received well-deserved recognition:
- Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Gallaudet University (2018)
- Distinguished Alumni Award from the WPSD Alumni Association (2023)
- Honored during Women’s History Month by Gallaudet University Alumni Association (2024)
During the 2024 event, keynote speaker Dr. Elizabeth Moore reflected on Ida’s profound impact and perseverance:
“When Ida pursued her studies from 1952 to 1957 at Gallaudet College, there was social unrest everywhere, particularly in the South. There is no question that Ida was vulnerable. There were no laws protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, Black individuals, women, or the voting rights of culturally diverse people. Organizations serving Deaf individuals, including some near Gallaudet, had not fully embraced Black Deaf people or Deaf women during that time.
Ida attended classes on a campus where the Kendall School Division II for Negroes was segregated. Despite these challenges, she carried the torch peacefully with a beautiful smile, completing her studies. She then went on to educate and inspire generations of students at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, where she taught for 32 years during a time when the school’s students were still segregated by race.
Ida Wynette Gray Hampton set an example for others to follow. Her determination to enroll at Gallaudet illustrates her courage and perseverance. “
Legacy
Ida Wynette Gray Hampton’s legacy is one of strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to education and advocacy. Her courage in breaking barriers continues to inspire new generations to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles.
Dr. Nathie Marbury
Dr. Nathie Lee Marbury was born on January 29, 1944, in Grenada, Mississippi, and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she attended the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD). She graduated from WPSD in 1962 and later earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Gallaudet University in 1975.
She continued her education at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), earning a master’s degree in special education in 1976, followed by a second master’s in educational administration and supervision in 1988. In 2007, she achieved a doctorate in Deaf Studies/Deaf Education from Lamar University in Austin, Texas.
Dr. Marbury was a trailblazer, becoming the first Black Deaf woman to enter the National Leadership Training Program for the Deaf at CSUN.
Professional Career
Dr. Marbury made significant contributions to Deaf education and American Sign Language (ASL) instruction, breaking barriers along the way. Her career included:
- First Black Deaf female instructor at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C. (1977–1986)
- ASL Specialist at California School for the Deaf, Fremont (1991–1992)
- Regional Resource Center Director at Ohlone Community College, Fremont (1992–1995)
- Director of Sign Enhances, Inc. in Salem, Oregon (1996–1997)
- ASL Teacher at Shoreline Community College, Shoreline, Washington (1997–1999)
- Professor in the ASL Interpreter Training Department at Austin Community College, Austin, Texas (1999–2013)
Dr. Marbury conducted workshops and seminars throughout the U.S. and Canada, educating both Deaf and hearing students at schools, colleges, and universities. Over 25 years, she also produced numerous educational videotapes.
In 2005, Tactile Mind Press released the documentary No Hand Me Downs, where Dr. Marbury shared humorous and heartfelt stories about her upbringing, her love for ASL poetry, and her experiences as a Black Deaf woman.
Legacy and Impact
Dr. Marbury was deeply connected to WPSD, often crediting the school for saving her life. Coming from a large, impoverished family, she was the only one to attend college. Her story “My WPSD” reflected her profound love for the school and its impact on her life.
She served on the WPSD Board of Trustees (2008–2013) and received multiple honors, including:
- Distinguished Alumnus Award from the WPSD Alumni Association (2008)
- Superintendent’s Award from WPSD (2013)
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Black Deaf Advocates (2013, posthumous)
- Honored by Gallaudet University Alumni Association (GUAA) during Women’s History Month (2024)
Dr. Nathie Marbury passed away on April 15, 2013, at the age of 69 after battling cancer. Her legacy as an educator, advocate, and storyteller continues to inspire generations.
