Adults

Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award

The International Dyslexia Association presents the Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award to an individual who advances the mission of IDA, is nominated by recognized or chartered branches of IDA and whose work embodies Margaret Rawson's compassion, leadership, commitment to excellence and fervent advocacy for people with dyslexia.

The following is excerpted from the speech that Dr. Richard L. Masland made presenting the Samuel T. Orton Award to Mrs. Rawson in 1971:

"I don't need to report to this group, the nature of Margaret's affiliation with the Orton Society (Editor's note: now The International Dyslexia Association). She first became a member early in the 1950s, in the founding days of the Society. She was President from 1965-1968, and has been the editor of the Bulletin (Editor's note: now Annals of Dyslexia) since 1965. It was a case of the right person at the right time; both the Society and its journal were ready for the growth to which she has given impetus and leadership. She has said that she has seen her role in life to be 'the constructive reconciliation of opposites.' I would like to broaden this a little and say that her genius has been the acceptance of diversity - the recognition of quality whatever the label on the package. It is these unique abilities which have made it possible for her to enrich this Society with the best from many worlds - worlds both scientific and geographic. She has given the Society a breadth of outlook appropriate to its mission, and shared by few other organizations of our time.

"It is my great privilege then to add the name of Margaret Byrd Rawson to the list of eminent men and women who have received the Samuel T. Orton Award, with the following citation:

"Teacher of children, instructor of teachers, educator of the scientific and lay community, her profound professional knowledge, and her sympathetic understanding of the nature and personal impact of dyslexia have done much to alter this generation's attitude toward the child who cannot learn to read. She has restored dignity and hope to children and parents discouraged and misunderstood; through her enthusiasm and wit she has stimulated a group of skilled professionals whose influence extends throughout the country. As editor of the Bulletin of the Orton Society and in her worldwide travels, she has disseminated the best of scholarly information on dyslexia. Her important studies of the careers of dyslexic individuals provide scientific validation for her optimistic views. Under her leadership, the program of this Society has shown impressive advances in stature and recognition."

The honorees for the Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award are:

2001
Betty B. Sheffield

2000
Marcia K. Henry, Ph.D.

1999
Sylvia O. Richardson, M.D.

1998
Margaret Byrd Rawson, M.A.