Haben Girma appointed a Knight by France
The French Ministry of Culture has appointed me a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. I feel grateful and mindful of the responsibility this honor carries. I am only the second Deafblind person, after Helen Keller, and the first Deafblind Californian to receive this distinction. If only Helen were here to guide me. She could read and write French; I’m still working on that.
France bestows this recognition on people advancing arts and culture, including Braille. Developed in France by a teacher named Louis Braille, this tactile reading system continues to open doors to literacy for blind people. Today, many blind professors, scientists, and artists around the world can instantly read and write using refreshable Braille displays, contributing in their chosen fields.
Access to Braille allowed me to graduate from Harvard Law School, work as an attorney, write a book, and communicate with family and friends. Many blind people who need it still do not have access to Braille. That gap both frustrates me and drives my advocacy.
Last year, I had the joy of serving as the keynote speaker at the Braille Bicentennial in Coupvray, France. I met many passionate advocates for Braille literacy, including Mayor Thierry Cerri, his Chief of Staff Sandra Hakoun, President of Voir Ensemble Matthieu Juglar, and many others.
In the coming months, the Consulate General of France in San Francisco will hold a ceremony. I am deeply grateful that France gave us Braille and continues to honor it as a vital part of its culture. This recognition connects us to pioneers like Louis Braille and Helen Keller while inviting us to keep building a future with greater access and opportunity.