Award-winning actress, New York Times bestselling author and activist Marlee Matlin will visit Missouri State University this fall.
She will be the 2022 Public Affairs Conference keynote speaker. Her speech will take place 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.
The keynote event kicks off the conference, scheduled Sept. 20-22. The theme is “From Words to Deeds: Creating Collaborative Communities.”
Brent Dunn, Missouri State University Foundation executive director, said Matlin is not only an accomplished artist, but also a true humanitarian.
“Marlee’s story is inspirational because she overcame odds and broke barriers to achieve great success,” Dunn added. “Even more admirable, she has used her platform to champion the deaf and hard of hearing community, as well as advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and access.
Matlin’s keynote is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. The event is made possible by the Missouri State Foundation with support from KY3/KSPR.
Opportunity to meet Matlin
The foundation will host a VIP reception with Matlin at 5:30 p.m. before her talk.
Guests will:
- Have a photo opportunity with Matlin.
- Receive an autographed copy of her book, “I’ll Scream Later.”
- Enjoy cocktails, beverages and hors d’oeuvres.
- Get special reserved seating at the keynote.
Tickets are $125 per person and available for purchase online.
Contact Stephanie Smith, MSU senior director of donor relations and special events, at 417-836-4143 for more information.
More about Matlin
Matlin lost her hearing as a toddler. At age 21, she became the youngest recipient and only deaf performer to earn the Best Actress Academy Award in 1987 for her performance in “Children of a Lesser God.” She also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama.
In 2021, Matlin was nominated as executive producer for the short film, “Feeling Through.” Her Apple TV+ film “CODA,” a coming-of-age drama centered on the only hearing member of a deaf family, was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Recently, the film won the top prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Film Ensemble. It’s the first film with a majority deaf cast to receive the honor.
Matlin has starred in many television shows, such as “Law and Order SVU,” “Picket Fences,” “Seinfeld” and “The Practice,” garnering four Emmy nominations along the way.
In 2015, she made her Broadway debut in the Tony nominated revival of Spring Awakening.
She has dedicated her life not only to help deaf and hard of hearing people, but also those struggling with domestic abuse and addiction.
In 2012, she released “Marlee Signs,” the first celebrity-driven app teaching the basics of American Sign Language on mobile devices.
Matlin has authored her New York Times bestselling autobiography, “I’ll Scream Later,” and three novels for children.
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