Sammie K. Rankin Award

The late Sammie K. Rankin was the first director of the Lighthouse for the Blind in Waco and was a supervisor of rehabilitation teachers with the Texas Commission for the Blind for many years. This award is to be presented in her honor and memory to an individual or organization who has made an outstanding contribution to services for persons who are blind or visually impaired in Texas. Any TAER member is eligible for nomination for the award.

Past Winners
2022-Laura Hampton

​2021 -

2020 - 

2019 - Angela Suhail

2018 - 

​2017 - Belinda Rudinger
​
2016 - Valerie Alvarez
​
2015 - Neva Fairchild

2014 - Martha Juliette "Julie" Glover

2013 - Olga Ellis

2012 - Brenda Lee

2011 - Scott Meyer

2010 - Olivia Chavez

2009 - Jill Brown

2008 - Ruth Ann Marsh

2007 - Christy Shepard

2006 - Julie Prause

2005 - Debbie Louder

2004 - Kitra Gray

2003 - Nan Bulla

2002 - Elsie Rao

2001 -

2000 - Donna Clopton

1999 -

1998 - Marcie Glass

1997 - Jim Durkel

1996 - Lynda Jones

1995 - Billy Brookshire

1994 -

1993 - Ron Kordas

1992 -

1991 -

1990 - Jim Allan

1989 - Melanie White

1988 - Mike Bina

1987 - Virginia Sowell

1986 - Gary Everhart

1985 -

1984 -

1981 - Judy Castle Scott