The Howard E. "Rocky" Stone Humanitarian Award
By Lise Hamlin
Editor: Here's Lise's report on the Rocky Stone Humanitarian Award,
which is presented annually to former Trustee who " exhibited many of the
characteristics that exemplify our organization's philosophy."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 2007 Rocky Stone Humanitarian Award was presented at the
Association Banquet held Saturday evening of the Convention. This is the
only award presented at the banquet. It is the only award that has HLAA's
founder's name attached to it, the one that Rocky established to honor
people who work so hard for so long in the field of hearing loss. Previous
winners of the award, all of whom are elected by the Board of Trustees
are: Dorothy Allen, Clyde Black, Marjorie Boone, John Centa, William
Cutler, Marcia Dugan, Jerry Hohnbaum, Paul Hopler, Joan Kleinrock, George
Kosovich, Mina "Sis" Lelewer, Susan Miller, Julie Olson, Mark Ross, Ph.D.,
and Alice Marie "Ahme" Stone.
Marcia Finsidore is this year's recipient of the Rocky Stone Award. She
is a former president of the Board of Trustees, and has continued working
on a national level as well as serving on HLAA board committees. Back home
in Pennsylvania she activity helped their state organization get off the
ground, served as the first director the Pennsylvania State Office and
worked to organize events that raise awareness about hearing loss in the
theater, in the workplace and in the lives of individuals. She has, in
short, been an active, involved advocate for people with hearing loss for
many years.
Dick Meyer, former president of the Board of Trustees and nephew to
Rocky Stone, presented the award. I requested and received help from the
wonderful Deanna Baker, who has organized and provided CART for the
conventions for so long. Many thanks to Deanna for the transcript!
Dick Meyer: "I have the distinct opportunity tonight to present the
most coveted award of our organization. The Rocky Stone Award is named
after our founder, and my uncle who had the utmost belief that people with
hearing loss should be not left behind and could help one another. His
spirit has and will carry us to strive to improve our lives and the lives
of all others dealing with hearing loss in the years to come.
"The criteria for the award is as follows: The nominee should be a past
trustee who has served at least one term and exhibited many of the
characteristics that exemplify our organization's philosophy: confidence
and human spirit to get hearing loss into a positive perspective; a
provider of education, information and adequacy about hearing loss; a
share of experience in providing support and hope, determination to make
hearing loss a national concern; an advocate of HLAA at all levels of
membership and a role model in terms of leadership and ideas; and,
finally, someone who has awakened dormant powers with him or herself and
all the rest of us.
"This year as well as others, the call for nominees was welcomed by
past and current board members. A number of outstanding individuals were
put in to nomination. Our committee determined that one individual was
clearly and enthusiastically identified by a score of individuals. She
possesses extraordinary organization and leadership skills, these were
recognized by her peers on the board when she was elected board president.
She possesses the rare quality of getting things done, she is a doer. I
can speak from personal experience that she is always accessible, has time
to speak to everyone. She is a motivator and frankly an unstoppable
advocate who is both passionate and concerned about our organization.
"In addition to HLAA activities she serves on include the board of
directors of the hearing - Deaf Hearing Communication Center, the advisory
committee of the Newborn Infant Hearing Screening Program for the
Department of Health in Pennsylvania, an advisory board of the RRTC for
the deaf-blind persons at Mississippi State University, and the advisory
board for the project evaluating quality of life issues for the people who
are hard of hearing in San Diego State University of California.
"And the list goes on and on. In the spirit of time, I've chosen just a
few examples of this lady's far-reaching work. She also received numerous
professional and civic awards for her advocacy efforts related to access
to healthcare for people with hearing loss. Our honoree this evening most
embodies a favorite quote of mine from the 18th century English writer Dr.
Samuel Johnson, quote: "Nothing will ever be attempted if all objections
must be overcome." The person is a master of cheerfully stepping over
objections and topples challenges that would daunt others all the time.
"On a personal note, when I first applied for the Board she was
responsible for the committee that reviewed each person's candidacy. She
was always available for all my questions and believe me, I had a lot.
Explaining everything fully and frankly, she was a person I liked to know.
Since then at every meeting we always say we're going to have a martini
together. Well, that just hasn't happened because every time I get to her
she's busy listening and helping others. I still wait and I'm still
thirsty for that martini!
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my very privileged honor to present this
year's Rocky Stone Award to my colleague and my friend, Marcia Finisdore."
Marcia's children and grandchildren were present for the award
ceremonies, and her grandchildren joined her on the podium when she
accepted the award.
Marcia Finisdore: "I know that all of you are starving just as I am.
However, I just want to make a few quick comments. I'm so honored to have
this award. It's wonderful. But any time anybody says you've made
extraordinary contributions, you know you don't make those by yourself.
You don't do that in a vacuum. So first of all, I want to recognize my
kids, because kids are a great motivator, and my kids were all born with a
hearing loss. And so that was my first step, I had a fight to make the
world accessible for my kids and I thank you very much for getting me
started, Susan and Beth Anne and John.
"You know, as an organization we've been blessed with an amazing staff
who accomplish things against incredible odds. And I want to thank them
for their loyalty and their support through all my years on this
organization.
"The trustees that I've worked with and like Ann I'm a cry baby, I'm
sorry about that. It is truly a pleasure to work with this very talented
ever-giving group of people, just absolutely wonderful.
"But most important of all, in the truly extraordinary effort made by
all of our members on a chapter level, on a state level, none of this
could happen without the wonderful dedicated volunteers that we all have.
I thank you for the honor of knowing you, working with you and loving you.
Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure for the last 19 years and I'm
tired. Thank you. Thank you very much."
Marcia left the stage while the banquet attendees were still on their
feet, giving her a standing ovation. But she came back.
"I forgot one thing! I'll be very quick. I will always treasure for at
long as I live, the Canadians that I got to know through this
organization, thank you -- I have it written down and I forgot it. Thank
you."
It was wonderful to see Marcia Finsidore so honored and so appreciated
by the audience as well. And I'll bet Dick isn't the only one waiting for
a martini with Marcia.
~~~~~
(c)2007 by Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of
Hearing Persons (NVRC), 3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130, Fairfax, VA 22030;
www.nvrc.org. 703-352-9055 V, 703-352-9056 TTY, 703-352-9058 Fax. You do
not need permission to share this information, but please be sure to
credit NVRC
