Virginia Moore

Virginia Moore (February 16, 1962, to May 6, 2023) was the executive director for the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing who received media attention as the interpreter for Governor Andy Beshear's public briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky. [1][2]

Early life

Moore was raised in a deaf family, which deeply influenced her commitment to the cause.[3][4] She held several degrees and certifications as an interpreter and was known for her approach and efforts to eliminate the stigma associated with hearing loss. Her work included helping deaf individuals navigate various challenges, such as taking driving exams, making doctor's appointments, and making emergency calls.[5]

Career

Moore began her career at the commission in 1995 and was appointed executive director in 2009. She served as the executive director of the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from 2009 until her passing in 2023. Virginia was known for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she interpreted Governor Andy Beshear's briefings, ensuring that information reached around 700,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing Kentuckians. [1][2][6][3][4]

Death and legacy

Moore announced her uterine cancer diagnosis on October 8, 2020 and underwent a hysterectomy. She returned to interpretation on November 30.[7] She died of complications because of cancer on May 6, 2023.[3]

Moore Safe Nights, a program formed by Moore's commission and the Division of Emergency Management was named after her in September 2024. The program plans to alert hard of hearing individuals to extreme weather. It offers custom weather radios with strobe light and pillow shaker attachments.[8]

References

1. Simpkins, Haley. "Virginia Moore, ASL interpreter, speaks to UK students". Kentucky Kernel. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
2. "'We think we got it all': Governor's ASL translator Virginia Moore provides positive cancer update". LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX). 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
3. "Beloved sign language interpreter in Kentucky dies". AP News. 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
4. "'Moore Safe Nights' program launches, honoring work of late ASL interpreter". FOX 56 News. 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
5. "Virginia Moore, the American Sign Language interpreter who led Kentucky through the early pandemic, has died". Louisville Public Media. 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
6. Ladd, Sarah (2023-06-27). "Kentucky sign language interpreters embody others' words, are servants at heart • Kentucky Lantern". Kentucky Lantern. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
7. Ladd, Sarah. "Kentucky sign language interpreter Virginia Moore back on job after bout with cancer". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
8. Brooks, Bode (September 26, 2024). "'Moore Safe Nights' program launches, honoring work of late ASL interpreter". Fox 56.