[Nfbf-l] Trivia on NFB pledge

[Denise]

Origins of the NFB Pledge:
A recent request was made to the tenBroek Library staff to research how the National Federation of the Blind pledge was created. Federationists recite our pledge at every chapter meeting, state convention, and national convention. The pledge that we all know and use today came about during the 1974 NFB National convention. Dr. Kenneth Jernigan first spoke about the idea of a formal pledge to show one’s support for the organization during that year’s Presidential Report. He also hosted a special reception during that convention, complete with a receiving line including the entire NFB Executive Committee, now known as the NFB Board of Directors. Every member who walked through that receiving line received an official NFB membership card with these words printed on the back:
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.

Sincerely, Denise Valkema by iPhone