Championing the Blind

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A New Partnership

They established a unified Braille code set up a Braille printing press to increase book availability and assisted blind individuals in finding employment. By joining forces with the AFB, Helen and Anne would not only work on a cause close to helen's heart supporting the blind but also secure a steady income. In return the AFB gained prominent advocated to amplify its mission.

Making a Big Impact

Helen's name proved to be a powerful asset. At their first fundraiser, she and Anne raised &21,000. Their efforts led President calvin coolidge to agree to become the AFB's honorary chairman Helen hosted fundraisers at har home spoke in churches and addressed town halls to educate the public about blindness. After three years of intense work it was time for a well deserved break.

New Books and New Challenges

Helen sought to focus on writing and enlisted editor Nella Braddy Henney's help her first book my Religion was published in 1927, following by Midstream. My later life in 1929. However the latter did not achieve the same popularity as her earlier works as readers were more intersted yher childhood than her adult life. Amid these challenges Anne's deteriorating eyesight led to surgery to remove her right eye in 1929. Consequently polly accompanied Helen to washington DC. Where she successfully persuaded congress to allocate &75,00 for the printing of additional Braille books. This marked the first federal support for a blind related program in the US.

A New Ally and a Heartbreaking loss

Helen's influential continued to grow and she forged a friendship with president Franklin D. Roosevelt. She advocated for the blind urging him and other legislators to take action. Her efforts contributed to the signing of the social security Act in 1935, which provided unemployment insurance retirement funds, and support for children and the disabled including the blind.