[NFBNJ] Congratulations Agnes Allen Celebrating Her 95th Birthday

[Joe Ruffalo]

Greetings to all!

I’ve provided information highlighting Agnes Allen, co-founder in 1991 of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey’s Garden State Chapter.
Agnes served as a loyal Federationist in New Jersey and Connecticut.
Agnes’s passion for literacy is second to none.
Agnes continued to teach Braille well in her 90’s.
Agnes is an author,” Life Without Sight; My Journey Into The World Of Sighted And The Blind.
Agnes has changed many lives with providing the gift of Braille literacy.
For the past several years, the NFBNJ has presented the Agnes Allen Distinguish Service Award during the banquet.  This award is presented to a  non member, to an agency or organization that promotes the philosophy of the Federation to raise expectations to live the life we want!

After reading the information below, at the conclusion, I have provided contact information for those that want to send Agnes belated birthday wishes.  Her reading media is Braille.  If you need a member of the Braille committee to assist,please contact Mary Jo Partyka, Chair of the Braille Committee at 609 888 5459 or email, choirnfb at gmail.com<mailto:choirnfb at gmail.com>
In addition, ask someone from your chapter and or division to assist.
She may not answer the phone however, a voice message works well.
Agnes is a true friend that has provided thousands of volunteer hours to provide her talent, time and encouragement to assist others to achieve their goals.


Happy 95th Birthday, Agnes!

Warmly,
Joe Ruffalo, President
NFBNJ

**

 Agnes Allen was born on the 18th of January 1924, the sixth and last child born to Mary and Louis Stone.  When she was just five years old, she had a terrible fall off a porch swing.  The doctors told Agnes’ mother she had six months to live.  She obviously survived but the accident left her totally blind.  Agnes thrived at the Pittsburgh School for the Blind where she learned to love education.  The school taught Agnes many things but most of all it enabled her to be independent, confident, capable and optimistic. After graduating from Pittsburgh School for the Blind, Agnes became the first blind graduate of Mount Mercy College.  She graduated Suma Cum Laude. The formation provided by the Mercy Sisters is rarely found in education today.  They taught their students that a life of service is a life well lived.  Agnes took this instruction to heart and strived to obtain this virtuous life.

The only member of her family to graduate high school and college, Agnes had the opportunity to attend graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh.  Upon finishing her Master’s degree in English, Agnes embarked on a career of teaching. She instructed blind and deaf blind students, young children and adults to accept their impairment and tackle any obstacle that stood in the way of achieving independence.   She taught Braille, English, math, music, and many other necessary life skills. Her dedication to the advancement of blind persons is evident in the fact that she was still tutoring blind students after her 90th birthday.  Agnes has been a long-standing member and served as an officer of both the New Jersey and Connecticut chapters of the National Federation for the Blind.  Agnes has a grave concern for blind individuals that cannot read braille and raised awareness through her many Braille Literacy campaigns and events.  Her book, “A Life Without Sight” was written to encourage all blind persons and their families to make the most out of the life they were given.  Agnes’ message to all is “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”  She also held positions as a Social Worker for the Division of Family Services, a proofreader, and a salesman.

Agnes Allen is the mother of three daughters and the grandmother of nine grandchildren.  Her example of generosity, love of neighbor and her joyful positive attitude has been a great blessing to her family. She is dearly loved.

 Contact info:
Agnes Allen
49 Old North Stamford Road
Stamford, CT  06905
her phone number is 203 323 9564.

Thanks for thinking of her on her birthday!
Barbara


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