Emma was indeed an amazing person. She is one of two people who have really grabbed my attention as far as even becoming an inspiration to me, the other being onetime Ypsilanti social worker Inez Graves. Emma was an incredible standout in her day, so far as a woman in authority, and wielded more influence than so many more of her gender, despite very limiting social mores of her day. What inspires me is her integrity and commitment. She followed her convictions, she did actual good, she treated the marginalized with dignity and helped them, she never bothered with playing political games for personal advance. I so love her no-nonsense, full-bore passion and belief in herself. She never asked for accolades but should be remembered and honored.

And isn’t it disgusting that we used to have a school for the “deaf and dumb”? Good Lawd.