How It All Started

Deaf Women of Oklahoma was founded in 2022

Life is full of serendipity and opportunities ripe for the taking. Founder & President, Ms. Christina Williams, realized first-hand just how hard making friends as an adult can be, especially when our life is busy. 

First President, Ms. Christina Williams, was waiting for a friend to join her for tea but she had a Strawberry Crème Frappuccino beverage at Starbucks, Oklahoma City on the Saturday morning around 11 am of November 2022. Ms. Williams waited for some time however, the first one to show up was Kemily Williams. During that time, we waited until we had a beautiful short conversation. Furthermore, all the rest of the ladies show up. Jolene Reed, Maria Perez, Myrna Herrera, and Lauren Morrison-Edwards will be our first ladies who become our first Deaf Women of Oklahoma board of directors. We talked about meeting and establishing a new Deaf Women of Oklahoma. “Meet me at Starbucks” is a celebration of the simple truth: good things happen when we get together. When we meet, we get closer, we laugh, we tell our story, we give more joy, as we connect better, however; Kemily Williams said, “We are family now”. 

Ms. Williams was a dreamer full of ideas. She also had a practical mind. She was just the sort of woman - a natural leader for deaf and empower woman she can be. On January 28, 2023, she became a Founder and the First President of the Deaf Woman of Oklahoma.

Our HerStory of the Deaf Women of Oklahoma is strongly ascribed to this quote by Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Ms. Christina Williams is the only hard of hearing who speaks fluently in American Sign Language in her family. She is the only hard of hearing person in her family to graduate from college. She completed her education at Oklahoma State University (OSU), obtaining her Associates Science Degree in America Sign Language (ASL), the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor’s Degree with honors in Human Services. She was also the first hard of hearing student to graduate from the University of Phoenix in Oklahoma City. She recently earned a Master’s Degree in Arts Counseling Psychology from the Los Angeles Church University and also received a Doctorate Honorary Degree in Advocacy from Los Angeles Church University.

Accomplishments:

Ms. Williams served as Secretary and member of the Central Oklahoma Association for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired (COADHI) from 2011 to 2015.

Ms. Williams served as Co-Chair advocacy at the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), she loves working with deaf women, babies and children and advocates for deaf and hearing-impaired women or children of critical incidents who are abused to be heard, observed, assist in reporting, and help with support groups.

Ms. Williams served as Advocacy Assist at Family Development and Intervention Services (FDIS). She has a passion for working with deaf and hearing-impaired children, youth, senior citizens, and families. Lives have been touched by serving deaf families.

Ms. Williams served as Team Leader and loves to empower and motivated deaf children and teenagers at the Boys and Girls Club.

Ms. Williams is an ordained member of the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Rehabilitation Association. She continues to assist individuals who are deaf and developmentally disabled to develop communication, social skills, life skills, and pre-employment skills.

Ms. Christina Williams had the honor to serve as the first President of the Oklahoma Black Deaf Advocates board for five years. Ms. Williams was instrumental in establishing the organization of Oklahoma Black Deaf Advocates in November 2015. In doing so, she made history as the first African American deaf woman to lead as president and create the framework of the Oklahoma Black Deaf Advocates. Ms. Williams is a recipient of the President Outstanding Leader Award nomination by members of Oklahoma Black Deaf Advocates.

She is also a recipient of the 2000 Outstanding Achievement Award in Poetry by The National Library of Poetry.

Ms. Williams is the first African American deaf who also founded the Deaf Women of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is the current president of the newly established non-profit organization created in 2022.

Ms. Williams is current proud member of National Black Deaf Advocacy since 2015, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Ms. Williams is the current Executive Liaison Officer for Deaf Down Syndrome and Deaf Family Intervention Services.

Christina said, “I could never believe it but, I did it.” With each success, came confidence in learning how to help others and working with many great organizations, communities, and wonderful people. Christina envied those who had a spring in their step on the way to work—people who absolutely loved what they did and couldn’t wait to roll up their sleeves and get busy on the job. She wanted the same and went for it. Now, she can now say with full “Confidence” that she really loves what she does. Darlene Drew, my mentor once said, “Impossible really means I’m possible!”

Ms. Williams is a proud and blessed single mother of her son. She expresses to her son how important the true value of college is so when it’s time for him to go he will understand. She also explains how important the roles of families, guardians, friends, and significant others in the lives of people with disabilities are supported, valued, and promoted. She can only show this by having done it herself (a successful career). Meantime, I walk in a space of gratitude. I’m so grateful to God for blessing me with an amazing son and the opportunity to do what I love.

In my free time, I enjoy writing poetry, poem, write book, drawing, painting, UNO games, movie, cooking, outgoing to mall, any entertainments, I like to walk of three miles, yoga, workout, and dance (Dance Like Nobody’s Watching). I love spending time with my son, and my Yorkshire Terrier dog. Also, my favorite occasion is to attend Sunday church service and family Sunday dinner too.

My Favorite Black Women Quote: “Think like a Queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness” by Oprah Winfrey.

My Favorite Deaf Women Quote: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” by Helen Keller.

Mrs. Jolene Reed was born and raised in Idaho. I became profoundly deaf at 18 months old and have been using ASL (American Sign Language) as my primary language throughout my life. I was an athlete in volleyball, basketball and track, and a graduate of Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind (ISDB). While I lived in Idaho, I was a paraprofessional and assistant/head coach for girls’ sports at ISDB for five years. I had my oldest son from my school sweetheart.

Moved to Salem, Oregon and lived for 11 years, I was a graduate with an A.A. degree from Chemeketa Community College (CCC) in 2010, a B.A. in ASL Studies and a minor in Special Education with honors Magna Cum Laude at Western Oregon University (WOU) in 2013, and a Master's degree in Sign Language Education at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. with the Masters in Sign Language Education Award in 2014. I held a Provisional certification from American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA). I was an ASL instructor at WOU and CCC for five years and taught courses: ASL first-year, second-year, and third-year levels, Deaf Culture, Deaf Women, and Visual Gestural Communications. I was a member and public relations for Oregon-ASLTA and presented about ASL Flipped Classroom at two ASLTA chapters. I also volunteered at sports events and joined the Oregon women's basketball team once.

I am married to Eric, who was born in Norman and grew up in Moore. We have twins (a boy and a girl) and Great Dane dogs added to our family. 

In June 2018, we moved to Tulsa. I was an Assistant Professor for the ASL program at Tulsa Community College and one of the ASL Club advisors and the ASL Advisory Board. I volunteered at TSHA's Holiday party and Deaf camp. 

I am currently employed as an ASL Specialist at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) since the fall of 2021 also enjoy being an assistant volleyball coach for girls.

I am a member of ASLTA, Oklahoma Association of the Deaf, Oklahoma City Association of the Deaf, and Oklahoma Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. I enjoy volunteering and attending workshops and conferences for personal and professional growth. 

Residing in Davis, we live on seven acres and plan to have a small farm and gardens in the future. 

In my free time, I love drawing, painting, some crafts, volleyball, basketball, moviegoing, and outdoor activities such as biking, kayaking, and camping, as well as spending time with my family and furry babies. 

My Favorite Deaf Women Quote:

“The most important characteristic a Deaf woman could have is integrity; without integrity, all other values and accomplishments are meaningless.“ 

— Damara Paris, who was my Deaf Women course instructor at WOU and gave me the book "Know That…Quotes from Deaf Women for a Positive Life" with her signature on her quote page.

President Christina and Vice President, we discussed the Oath and Bylaws and Keys during our first January 2023 meeting.

President Christina said to Angela: “We Deaf Women of Oklahoma are delighted that you have decided to join us.”