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Blanche Wilkins (born December 1, 1876 in La Crosse, Wisconsin)was a Black deaf educator, community advocate and trailblazer. In 1893, she became the first Black deaf woman to graduate from the Minnesota School for the Deaf (Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf). She also was likely the first Black person to be nominated to the Executive Committee of the National Association of the Deaf. A dorm at the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf was named Wilkins Hall in her honor

Personal Life
Blanche Wilkins married Charles Williams in 1899. Williams who was Black and hearing, worked as the prinicipal of the North Carolina School for Black Deaf Students. Her daughter Grace Elvie was born in 1901 and her son, John Ray Henry was born in 1904. Charles Williams died three years later in 1907.

After moving to Chicago, Blanche briefly married Deaf educator, Thomas Flowers. Following their divorce, Blanche returned to using the name Blanche Williams.