Creator - Nathie Marbury (1944-2013)
Title: Nathie Marbury Materials Donation
Inclusive Dates: ca. 1950s - 2010s
Abstract: Nathie Marbury was an instructor, linguist, and researcher in American Sign Language. These donations reflect Marbury's academic career as an American Sign Language professor and her extensive research into the development and champions of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture in United States. Dr. Nathie Marbury was a longtime, highly esteemed ACC faculty member, known for her educational leadership and teaching excellence.
Quantity: 121 items
Language: English and American Sign Language
Repository: Austin Community College: Rio Grande & Riverside Campuses
Print Media:
Dr. Nathie Marbury or "Nathie", as she was affectionately known, was born in Granada, MS in 1944 but grew up in Pennsylvania. She graduated from the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in 1962. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in 1975 from Gallaudet University. She then earned two Master of Arts degrees in 1976 from California State University at Northridge (CSUN) - one in Administration and Supervision and the other in Special Education. Nathie pursued doctoral coursework in applied linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and earned her doctoral degree in 2007, specializing in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education at Lamar University.
Nathie was a pioneer at heart. She became the first Black deaf woman to enter the National Leadership Training Program for the Deaf at CSUN. She was also the first Black deaf female instructor at the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for the Deaf from 1978-1986. She was also the first Black deaf woman to serve on the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Board, serving as an appointed Member-at-Large with Dr. Rosen, NAD President. She was a longtime member of National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA).
Nathie taught at the American School for the Deaf and conducted international workshops and seminars. Her last 14 years were spent at Austin Community College, where she primarily taught American Sign Language (ASL) classes. Dr. Marbury was focused on embracing Deaf Culture in education and the teaching of ASL and ASL Linguistics. She was a masterful storyteller, artistic performer and teacher. In recognition of her distinguished career and outstanding service to the Black Deaf community, the American Deaf community, and the Professional Interpreting community, the NBDA Board of Directors awarded Dr. Nathie Marbury with the NBDA Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded posthumously in August 2013.
Deaf Heroes, signed by Liann Osborne, describes the life of Nathie Marbury in ASL. https://youtu.be/Y1vDXBfXERc
These materials are currently located at the Rio Grande and Riverside Campus libraries. You can browse the titles by going to the catalog on the library homepage and searching for, "Gift from Dr. Nathie Marbury."
Tales from a Clubroom by 
During late December 2012, ACC Library Services was approached by faculty about the possibility of receiving a donation of Dr. Nathie Marbury's materials to add to the library collection. Since Nathie was approaching the end of a long battle with cancer, it was critical to work quickly so that this donation could take place. A special ACC event at the Riverside campus on March 2, 2013 honored the lifetime achievements of Dr. Marbury, and it was well attended by ACC faculty, staff, members of the Austin Deaf community, and many personal friends and family.
Donated materials included print monographs (books), VHS recordings, and binders of instructional materials. Since the video recordings could not be digitized due to copyright, ASL faculty moved these materials to their department for continued educational use. The print books were added to the library collection, with a bookplate indicating that they were donated by Nathie Marbury.
Bookplate, ACC Libraries Nathie Marbury Gift
