Andrew J. Foster: An Important Figure In Deaf History

Andrew J. Foster
Andrew J. Foster is an extremely important figure in Deaf History due to the significant impact he had of deaf culture. By establishing dozens of schools for the deaf, he was able to provide many people the opportunity to learn and have an education. He was able to succeed his mission with lifelong commitment and determination along with the ability to overcome conflicts that interfered.
Although Mr. Foster was born in 1925 on June 27th with the ability to hear, he developed Spinal Meningitis and became deaf at age eleven. Later on, as a teenager, a missionary from Jamaica greatly influenced Andrew Foster after coming to his Sunday school. After growing up in Ensley, Alabama and attending a Talladega school for the colored
Even with his hard work and education, several colleges would not accept him due to his race, fortunately, Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. offered him a full scholarship in 1951. Not only did Foster graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Education during 1954, but he was the first African American to attend and graduate from Gallaudet. Throughout the next two years, he continued to expand his knowledge by earning a Master’s degree in Education and in Christian Mission from Eastern Michigan University and Seattle Pacific College.
As mentioned before, a missionary from Jamaica profoundly influenced Mr. Foster and this sparked his determination to strive towards his goal to help deaf Africans. After spending years focusing on his education, his next priority was to become a missionary. However, several missions in Africa could not look past his race and they would not accept him. With this said, this does not mean he gave up, instead he went on tours, including locations such as Mexico, America, and Europe to raise money and inform others about his plans to establish African schools for the Deaf. Eventually, in 1956 he was able to build a Christian Mission after being influenced by Leonard, Elstad, Gallaudet’s
The first being an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters during 1970 and interestingly enough, before Andrew Foster, no African American had ever received this award. He without a doubt inspired many with his incredible contribution to both Deaf and African cultures. About five years later, he was granted the Edward Miner Gallaudet Award. Unfortunately, at age 62, Andrew J. Foster was on a small flight to Rwanda containing only a handful of others, when the plane crashed and he died. Although Mr. Foster’s life ended in 1987, neither him nor his accomplishments will be forgotten. He undoubtedly affected the lives of many and Deaf culture would not be the same today without his efforts. For instance, it is because of his influence that Christian Missions continue to build more and more schools for the Deaf in order to spread and Educate others, including the hearing, about sign language, the Deaf, and overall Deaf culture. Gallaudet University, a school for the Deaf, played a big role in Foster’s life and in fact, others can visit their exhibit about his life. Not only do they have an exhibit, but an auditorium was named about him during