Jackie Kanekuni
What are the nominee’s experiences?
Jackie was an operation manager of Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) of Maryland which is a non-profit organization for 15 years. Her job was to coordinate many programs for deaf services. Her responsibility was to prepare the documents as required. Also, she was a center manager of Purple Communications at Rockville, Maryland where she managed video relay services (VRS) and community interpreting services throughout Maryland for three years. There, she acquired an entire range of experiences with writing letters and documents.
What are the nominee’s activities in the deaf community?
Jackie has been President of Frederick Deaf Seniors since 2016 and has been involved with its activities. Also, she is a member of the Maryland Association of the Deaf (MDAD) where she works with a group called the Retreat Facilitators. Also, she is a member of the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD). Jackie is a member of the PSD Alumni Association which she serves as Assistant Chairperson and Secretary of the Sports Hall of Fame committee. Last year she served on the bike tour committee which was a fundraiser for PSD2020 Bicentennial Celebration.
What does the nominee volunteer in the deaf community?
Jackie has been doing a lot of volunteer work for many years. Here are several instances: Jackie coordinated the “Miss PSAD” contest at PSAD Conference in 1979, coordinated 5K Run/Walk, a fundraising event for Maryland Association of the Deaf, manned a booth at the Art and Craft Show & Auction for Deaf Access Services, and volunteered as a lifeguard at the Boy Scouts’ canoeing event on Potomac River.
What are the nominee’s goals to improve PSDAA?
Jackie graduated from PSD in 1977 and enrolled at Gallaudet University, graduating in 1982 with a major in psychology. After that, she went on to earn a Masters of the Arts degree in Human Services from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. Her parents, sister, brother, uncle, and aunt all attended PSD. Jackie is very grateful to PSD for providing her a good education which prepared her for college. For that, Jackie’s goal is to support the PSD Alumni and help to expand it and to become a stronger organization as well as help the students better.