The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of actress and advocate Patty Duke. Ms. Duke immortalized the intelligent and rebellious spirit of the 6-year-old deaf and blind Helen Keller in her performance of William Gibson's play, The Miracle Worker. She starred in both the original Broadway production and went on to win an Academy Award in the 1962 film version with Anne Bancroft playing her teacher Anne Sullivan.
Patty Duke was a longtime friend and supporter of AFB. In April 1963, AFB’s Executive Director M. Robert Barnett congratulated her on her Oscar win on behalf of the organization saying:
“This recognition must represent to you not only a great personal achievement as the youngest actress ever to receive an Oscar for a supporting role, but also must give you great satisfaction in the knowledge that you have contributed so much to the understanding of the needs, hopes, and desires of deaf-blind children. Most important is that the general public is beginning to understand that deaf-blind children have a single aim—to be like other children.”
Many years later, Patty Duke recorded the accessible version of AFB's To Love this Life. In the remarks she gave, she said that a day did not pass without her thinking of Helen Keller and her ties to Helen Keller would forever be in her mind. She also collaborated with us on a series of public service announcements to help eliminate the inequities faced by the millions of Americans who are blind or visually impaired.
AFB is proud to have honored Patty Duke for her contributions to people who are blind with a 2001 Helen Keller Achievement Award. She was a great ambassador for Helen Keller and AFB, and her achievements on Broadway and in film and television live on. She will be greatly missed.
