An acclaimed deaf actress, she was born on February 29, 1944, in Devils Lake, North Dakota. She gained prominence for her role in the Broadway production of "Children of a Lesser God," for which she won a Tony Award in 1980. Her career spanned television and film, with notable appearances in "Santa Barbara" and "Love Is Never Silent." A passionate advocate for the deaf community, she helped to increase visibility and representation in the arts. She passed away on April 10, 2014.