SHEENA: Knowing that having a disability is frowned upon in Jamaica, how did you managed to overcome the oppression?

CLAUDIA: I think its fair to say that the term “overcome” – I have mixed feelings about the term “overcome.” People just find ways to survive through circumstances. I became deaf at the age of 8. Prior to that, I was a smart kid, popular in class, top student in my class. I remember and I had many friends. After I became Deaf during the summer on a break from school. In September in the fall. Well, here we call it Fall but there, it is warm all year long. In September, everyone went back to school except me. I was kept at home due to being deaf. I was still the same person before and after. Still same person – still bright, motivated. Nothing was going the way I wanted. Between my family and teacher, they discussed and agreed to not let me go to school without my input. They decided for me. So, that really reinforced and intensified that there was something wrong with me. You know, the label got worse only because my former friends and classmates began to suspect. Rumors were flying everywhere, “Claudia is sick. Claudia is Deaf. Really?” But they never saw me. I felt life had no purpose. Did I overcome that in Jamaica? No, I suffered through that. BUT once I arrived here, thanks to my mom. I was blown away by seeing a deaf teacher, deaf adults being professional… I started to realize that being Deaf is another way to experience the world. A visual approach -its communication, culture. There was communication there. I did not know sign language at that time. I see all this before me. Its rich as well as mind boggling. Everything I was told before – all the cants, oppression, shame, and being hidden. Now, I see and am proud to see people walking around that are the same as me. I was shocked, but that was when I overcame.

SHEENA: Through everything, who were your role models?

CLAUDIA: I look up always, first and foremost, my mom. My mom passed away in the year 2000. Ovarian cancer was the cause. She struggled with ovarian cancer for six years. She died at the age of 50. A wonderful woman. She raised me, my sister, and my brother – the three of us – as a single mother in Jamaica. Not very much resources and money. We were barely making it. She had an education level up to 8th grade, that’s it. Eighth grade. Single mother. My whole family grew up very poor but together, we found a way out of no way.

SHEENA: What inspired you to be the first Deaf Black Female lawyer in America?

CLAUDIA: Two reasons, really. Firstly, it was my personal experience with oppression. While growing up in Jamaica, again it was all about how people treated me. The fact I was removed from school simply because I could not hear. Being out in the community, being faced with terrible attitudes, perspectives, and judgments. Secondly, at Lexington School, I was involved with the mock court team. Its like a debate team. We competed against others in court with hearing peers. Lexington School was the only school that was involved with the competition every year. We were very good. I was, first, a witness on the team. During the second year, I became a lawyer for the rest of the years. Being a lawyer on the team really sparked plus gave more content in reaching my goal in becoming a lawyer. I feel lucky – it was a combination of personal and hands-on experience playing the role of a lawyer on my team. I was set on being one since high school.

SHEENA: What is your role at Department of Labor?

CLAUDIA: It was a political-appointed position meaning my boss was appointed by the President. Really, it was the Secretary of State. From there, I was appointed by my boss to be the special assistant. Being a special assistant means I do whatever my boss asks me – the priorities. My job involves many competing priorities. Some examples of the things I am working on right now: Section 503 Rehabilitation laws. It’s focus is on Federal contractors. The private companies do receive federal money to do business whether it provides food services to the military or fixing up the roads. Most large companies in the country do business with the Federal government and are known as Federal contractors. Meaning they are legally obligated to not discriminate based on disability, gender, national origin, age, Veterans, and more. Our office enforces those laws including hiring, promoting, and accommodating people with disabilities. So, I am involved with this type of work. But I am also involved in other areas that arent disability-related. For example, equal pay for women – that we called gender-based discrimination. Discrimination in terms of compensation – both have the same qualifications, degrees, and everything. But men get paid more. That is another big area that we focus on.

SHEENA: Out of all the Pearls, who do you admire the most?

CLAUDIA: Leah…I’ve had the opportunity to meet and interact with her. I feel really humbled by someone like her with such drive, ambition, bravery. Leah is a role model for young people because it seems she is not afraid to blaze the trail. She got an internship at The White House. I’ve seen her in action within the community – for example, American People with Disability internship program. I’ve always admired young people who just spread their wings and grab opportunities. Plus, not limited themselves to the Deaf world – go out there because we have a responsibility to, I mean, to go out to diversify our experiences. At the same time, let others that are non-Deaf to see us. See that we are just the same. I really admired Leah for her work. I am excited on what she will ultimately become one day. I see some of myself in her. I was the same as her when I was young. Hey, I am still young I think!

SHEENA: Should we have a second The Pearls Affair, if you had the opportunity to nominate one Deaf woman – who would you pick and why?

CLAUDIA: I would definitely pick this wonderful, amazing woman. Black Deaf who has a PHD which is rare. There are not many in our community. Dr. Angela McCaskill’s career has been remarkable. The most recent news was that she used to be a part of the Department of Education then went back to Gallaudet. She has been there for a while, but she just, exciting news, was appointed to be Deputy to the President of Gallaudet. She is also the Associated Provost for Diversity and Inclusion. Wow! Its huge promotion and a reason for us to celebrate.

SHEENA: What does the word Pearl mean to you?

CLAUDIA: A Pearl… When I think about it, I would say grace…poise…a lady that embodies the full package.