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
2024 - West Texas Cluster
2023 - Jerry Mullins
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