Our History: The NFB of New Mexico
This page contains audio files, articles from various NFB national publications, and other documents about blind New Mexicans involved with the NFB. The items posted on this page reflect the richness and depth of the blind community of new Mexico, and they serve as part of our legacy that began with the founding of the NFB of New Mexico in 1956.
Celebrating Our 70th Birthday in 2026
The following presentation was given at the 2026 NFBNM state convention on October 24, 2026 by Adelmo Vigil, NFBNM President Emeritus and Tonia Trapp, NFBNM Secretary:
Happy 70th Birthday to the NFB of New Mexico
Audio-Recordings From The Presentation, Plus Extras
This list contains short audio-recordings of mini-biographies and snippets from interviews and speeches. Some of these were played during the above presentation, but some of them could not be played due to limited time.
- Albert Gonzalez (mini-biography, read by the Eleven Reader voice of Grandpa Storyteller Oxley)
- Pauline Gomez (mini-biography, read by the Eleven Reader voice of Kylee)
- Fred Schroeder advocating for a blind woman seeking employment (excerpt from his speech "Conceptions Of Blindness" given at the White Cane Banquet on October 15, 1982, read by the Eleven Reader voice of Ellis)
- Art Schreiber, NFBNM President Emeritus, talking about advocating with a legislator to support creating a Commission for the Blind in New Mexico (from an interview conducted by Greg Trapp, Director of the NM Commission for the Blind, in March of 2026)
- Governor Toney Anaya talking about founding the NM Commission for the Blind (from an interview conducted by Greg Trapp, Director of the NM Commission for the Blind, in March of 2026)
- Fred Schroeder talking about NAC and sheltered workshops (excerpt from his speech "Conceptions Of Blindness" given at the White Cane Banquet on October 15, 1982, read by the Eleven Reader voice of Ellis)
- Pat Salazar (mini-biography, read by the Eleven Reader voice of John Wayne)
- Joe Salazar (mini-biography, read by the Eleven Reader voice of John Wayne)
Sounds From The Decades
Part of our birthday celebration during the General Session and banquet of our state convention on Saturday, October 24, 2026 included some good old-fashioned silliness with these collections of sound clips from 1956 and the following three decades. Here are the four audio files and a key listing all the sounds in each file. All of these sounds were either publicly available on YouTube or were clipped from music tracks purchased by Tonia Trapp.
- Sounds From 1956
- Sounds From The 1960s
- Sounds From The 1970s
- Sounds From The 1980s
- Key To Sounds From The Decades
NFB National Award Winners
- The Dr. Jacobus tenBroek Award (given to Adelmo Vigil)
Braille Monitor, August/September 2023 - Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards (given to Carol Begay Green and Peggy Chong)
Braille Monitor, August/September 2018 - Awards Presented at the 2013 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind (tenBroek Award given to Art Schreiber)
Braille Monitor, August/September 2013 - The 2008 Bolotin Awards Presentation (Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award given to Linda Miller)
Braille Monitor, August/September 2008 - NFB Recognizes Outstanding Individuals (Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award given to Gail Katona)
by Sharon Maneki, Future Reflections, Winter 1994 - National Federation Of The Blind Awards For 1991 (Blind Educator of the Year Award given to Patricia Harmon)
Braille Monitor, September 1991 - Blind Educators Receive Awards (Blind Educator of the Year Award given to Pauline Gomez in 1987 and to Fred Schroeder in 1988)
Braille Monitor, September-October 1988
NFB National Scholarship Winners
- 2025: Mary Nix
- 2023: McKayla Biddle
- 2019: Kaden Calahan
- 2007: Bill Casson
- 2006: Jessica Bachicha
- 2004: Amelia Cavallo
- 2003: German Benitez
- 2002: Jessica Bachicha
- 2001: Cheryl Fogle
- 1999: Brian Quintana
- 1997: Catherine Chavez
- 1997: Marina Eastham
- 1995: Carlos Servan
- 1993: Jim Salas
- 1992: Carlos Servan
- 1988: Claudette Fletcher
- 1985: Jennifer Kellogg
Audio Files
- Our Stories, Our Mission: The People Behind the Organized Blind Movement (about Adelmo Vigil)
The Nation’s Blind Podcast, May 4, 2026 - Getting the Most from Your State Agency for the Blind, with Greg Trapp
YouTube, Gliding Through Blindness, Feb 20, 2025 - Adelmo Vigil: Forty Years of Growing With the NFB and Serving the Blind of New Mexico
YouTube, 2024 - Carol Begay Green (winner of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award)
Sponsored by the Alfred & Rosalind Perlman Trust. Presented by the National Federation of the Blind, 2018 NFB National Convention - Peggy Chong (winner of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award)
Sponsored by the Alfred & Rosalind Perlman Trust. Presented by the National Federation of the Blind, 2018 NFB National Convention - Art Schreiber
KENW-TV Report from Santa Fe, January 3, 2015 - Fifty Years Later: Traveling with the Beatles on Their First Cross-Country Tour of America
by Arthur A. Schreiber , 2014 NFB National Convention - Michael Naranjo: A New Vision
KNME-TV ¡Colores¡ April 18, 1990
Profiles Of People From Our Newsletter Archives
- Far More Than Blind: Sam Chavez’s Life, 1904-1981
by Richard Melzer, Que Pasa, May 2022 - Tributes To Gary Montague
by Elaine Montague, Que Pasa, May 2021 - Member Spotlights: Tara Chavez and Jedi Moerke
by Gabriella Smith, Que Pasa, May 2021 - Member Spotlights: Raquel Ortega and Nathalie Martin
by Gabriella Smith, Que Pasa, December 2020 - Member Spotlight: German Benitez
by Gabriella Smith, Que Pasa, August 2020 - Artistic Vision Without Vision: Blind Artist Makes Jewelry
by Stephen Montoya, Que Pasa, October 2018 - Representative Jimmie Hall
by Peggy Chong, Que Pasa, September 2017 - Francis D. Opdyke
by Peggy Chong, Que Pasa, September 2015 - Maximilian Eugene Frost
by Peggy Chong, Que Pasa, June 2015 - Silviano Chacon
by Peggy Chong, Que Pasa, March 2015 - Owen Henry Shillinglaw, Another Founding Member Of The NFB Of NM
by Peggy Chong, Que Pasa, December 2014 - Who Was At The First Meeting Of The NFB Of New Mexico?
by Peggy Chong, Que Pasa, September 2014 - Meet A Long-Time Nfbnm Leader, Christine Hall
by Pat Munson, Que Pasa, March 2014 - Elizabeth Garrett
by Peggy Chong, Que Pasa, March 2014 - Who Are Curtis And Peggy Chong?
by Curtis Chong, Que Pasa, September 2013 - Kay Boyd, A Federationist Through And Through!
by Veronica Smith, Que Pasa, June 2013 - Meet The NFB Of New Mexico State President, Adelmo Vigil
by Pat Munson, Que Pasa, March 2013 - My Memories Of Ray Marshall
by Tonia Trapp, Que Pasa, June 2012
Assorted Historical Documents
- List of State Presidents of the NFB of New Mexico
- Our Stories, Our Mission: The People Behind the Organized Blind Movement (transcript of podcast about Adelmo Vigil)
The Nation’s Blind Podcast, May 4, 2026 - Authenticity, Diversity, and the Synergy of the Organized Blind (includes references to Pauline Gomez)
by Mark A. Riccobono, Braille Monitor, August/September 2018 - Our History And Our Future
by Pauline Gomez, Speech given at the Fourth Annual White Cane Safety Day Banquet of the NFB of Albuquerque, October 15, 1983 - Conceptions of blindness
by Fred Schroeder, Speech given at the Third Annual White Cane Day Banquet of the NFB of Albuquerque, October 15, 1982 - Chapter Thirteen. A People's Movement: Communication, Communion, and Community (includes references to Fred Schroeder)
by Floyd W. Matson, Walking Alone and Marching Together, 1990 - Appendix B. Who Are the Blind Who Lead the Blind (includes references to Fred Schroeder)T
by Floyd W. Matson, Walking Alone and Marching Together, 1990
Articles From 2020-2029
- How a 19th Century Dutch Ophthalmologist Can Impact Your 21st Century Rights
by Greg Trapp, JD, Braille Monitor, June 2024 - The Clay Vessel
by Caroline Benavidez, Braille Monitor, November 2022 - When it is Okay to Say “Yes”
by Nancy Burns, Braille Monitor, July 2022 - To Educate or Alienate
by Nancy Burns, Braille Monitor, July 2021 - From the Heart to the Hand: A Blind Artist Advancing Touch for Over Forty Years (Speech)
by Michael Naranjo, 2020 NFB National Convention
Articles From 2010-2019
- When Two or More are Gathered: The Power of One with a Multiplier
by Adelmo Vigil, Braille Monitor, July 2019 - The Power of Love and Commitment
by Nancy Burns, Braille Monitor, May 2019 - Secretary Toulouse Oliver Awarded “Outstanding Innovations in Elections” by the US Election Assistance Commission
Braille Monitor, May 2019 - This is Not a Stick
by Nancy Burns, Braille Monitor, January 2019 - Southwest Airlines Works Toward Inclusion For All
by Peggy Chong, Braille Monitor, December 2018 - The Power of Ideas
by Nancy Burns, Braille Monitor, July 2018 - Blind New Mexicans Can Now Vote with Accessible Absentee Ballots
by Curtis Chong, Braille Monitor, June 2018 - Why We Have the Right
by Peggy Chong, Braille Monitor, May 2018 - Monitor Miniatures -- The 2017 White Cane Banquet--A White Cane Day Celebration
Braille Monitor, January 2018 - The Orbit Reader 20: The Most Inexpensive Braille Display
by Curtis Chong, Braille Monitor, October 2017 - Who Are the Blind Who Lead the Blind? (Profile of Adelmo Vigil)
Braille Monitor, February 2017 - Blind Actors
by Peggy Chong, Braille Monitor, June 2017 - A Sign of the Times
by Nancy Burns, Braille Monitor, December 2016 - A Community of Practice: The Federation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math
by Natalie Shaheen, Joseph Heimlich, Arianna Benally, Frances Hammond, Cricket Bidleman, and Salvador Villa, Future Reflections, Convention 2016 - I Encouraged My Daughter to Be a Cowboy
by Peggy Chong, Braille Monitor, May 2016 - A Costa Rica Adventure
by Christine Hall, Braille Monitor, July 2015 - Standing on Their Shoulders: Giants Who Helped Build Our Affiliate in New Mexico
by Peggy Chong, Braille Monitor, July 2015 - Accessibility at Microsoft: More Challenges than Victories
by Curtis Chong, Braille Monitor, April 2015 - Ethel Ulysses Parker, Jr.
by Peggy Chong, Braille Monitor, March 2015 - Blind Voters in New Mexico Forced to Take a Step Backward
by Curtis Chong, Braille Monitor, February 2015 - The Police Chief of Albuquerque Met the Blind of New Mexico
by Peggy Chong, Braille Monitor, December 2014 - The Blind Gun Designer: The Genius of Mikhail Margolin
by Greg Trapp, Braille Monitor, November 2014 - Knowing What Is Good About the iPhone and What Is Not
by Curtis Chong, Braille Monitor, June 2014 - Comparing the Windows Computer with the Mac
by Curtis Chong, Braille Monitor, June 2014 - The Gun Debate, Why it Matters
by Greg Trapp, Braille Monitor, January 2014 - New Mexico Federationists Change What It Means to Be Blind
by Curtis Chong, Braille Monitor, December 2013 - The New Victor Reader Stream: In Many Ways Better Than the Original
by Curtis Chong, Braille Monitor, November 2013 - NFB Philosophy, a White Cane, and a Determined Old Street-Dog
by Pat Munson, Braille Monitor, December 2012 - A Place Where We Belong
by Frances Benally, Future Reflections, Convention Report 2012 - Lawrence “Muzzy” Marcellino: A Fantastic NFB Mentor
by Pat Munson, Braille Monitor, July 2012 - National Convention from a Distance
by Raquel Aguirre, Braille Monitor, December 2012 - Full Speed Ahead: Art Schreiber Knows No Limits Despite His Blindness
by Jessica Dyer, Braille Monitor, October 2011 - That Well Known Road
by Nancy Burns, Braille Monitor, May 2011 - Monitor Miniatures -- NFB of New Mexico Participates in ADA Twentieth-Anniversary Celebration
by Christine Hall, Braille Monitor, February 2011
Articles From 2000-2009
- Cruising Then and Now
by Jim Babb, Braille Monitor, July 2009 - Canadian Cool to Tropical Tan
by Nancy Burns, Braille Monitor, July 2009 - 2009 Brings ADA Changes
by Greg Trapp, Braille Monitor, May 2009 - Identity Theft and You Update
by Jim Babb, Braille Monitor, March 2008 - A Report on the Quiet Car Emergency
Braille Monitor, July 2007 - The Precinct: The Riveting Story of a Blind Man, a Blonde, and a Ballot
by Jim Salas, Braille Monitor, February 2007 - A Reporter Reports On Blindness
by Art Schreiber, Braille Monitor, May 2006 - Air Force's Best (about Robert Vick)
by Jan Jonas, Braille Monitor, July 2005 - Education More Than Academics
by Brian Quintana, Braille Monitor, July 2004 - Speaking of Gratitude: Givers of Freedom and Creators of Opportunity
by Tonia Trapp, Braille Monitor, April 2004 - New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped Adopts a New Orientation and Mobility Policy
by Dianna Jennings, Future Reflections, Spring/Summer 2004 - 39 Years Ago Newsman Had Front Row Seat to Beatles History (about Art Schreiber)
by Rick Nathanson, Braille Monitor, October 2003 - Receiving a High School Diploma In New Mexico
by Jennifer McClarin, Future Reflections, Fall 2003 - Why I Am a Federationist
by Tonia Valletta Trapp, Braille Monitor, July 2003 - Blindness Needn't Be All That Bad
by David Hamilton, Braille Monitor, November 2001 - Anthropologist's Hands See Details of History (about Marsha Ogilvie)
by Olivier Uytterbrouck, Braille Monitor, November 2001 - On Blindness
by Arthur A. Schreiber, Braille Monitor, November 2001 - The Greatness of the Arena
by Ivan A. Lopez, Braille Monitor, October 2001 - Why I Am a Federationist
by Larry W. Hayes, Braille Monitor, March 2001 - Blind Leading the Not Blind (about Art Schreiber)
by Jim Belshaw, Braille Monitor, November 2000
Articles From 1990-1999
- The Adventures of Curious Chris
by Christopher A. Weaver, Braille Monitor, December 1999 - Living the Movement
by Edward Bell, Student Slate, Spring/Summer 1999 - New Mexico School Update (about NMSVH)
Braille Monitor, October 1998 - A Time to Heal
by Greg D. Trapp, Braille Monitor, July 1998 - New Mexico School Update (about NMSVH)
Braille Monitor, April 1998 - Understanding Your Rights During the Job Interview
by Greg D. Trapp, Braille Monitor, January 1998 - Funding Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) Through Medical Insurance
by Greg Trapp, Braille Monitor, November 1997 - New Mexico Update (about NMSVH)
Braille Monitor, July 1997 - Albuquerque Public Library Mails DVS Videos Free Matter
by James L. Salas, Braille Monitor, February 1997 - A Federationist in A Strange Land
by Greg D. Trapp, Braille Monitor, December 1996 - The Story Of The New Mexico School For The Visually Handicapped
by Barbara Pierce, Braille Monitor, October 1996 - MONITOR MINIATURES -- In Memoriam (about Pauline Gomez)
Braille Monitor, July 1996 - Braille Today and Tomorrow
by Fredric Schroeder, Future Reflections, Winter 1996 - Estate Planning: What Parents of Children with Disabilities Should Know
by Greg Trapp, Future Reflections, Fall 1995 - Braille Is An Essential Tool
by Patti Harmon, Braille Monitor, July 1995 - Federation Philosophy and the Education of Blind Children
by Gail Katona, Future Reflections, Winter/Spring 1995 - The Need for Reason
by George M. Binder and Douglas C. Boone, Braille Monitor, November 1994 - Going Camping
by Gail Katona, Future Reflections, Spring/Summer 1994 - Gift Of Independence Teacher Helps Blind Find Their Own Way (From the Albuquerque Journal, September 21, 1993)
by Tracy Dingmann (about Gail Katona), Future Reflections, Winter 1994 - What SSI Recipients Should Know About Trusts
by Greg D. Trapp, Braille Monitor, July 1993 - Braille Worldwide
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, May 1993 - The Blind Student Teacher in Public Education
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, February 1993 - Problems of Placement and Responsibility: Mainstreaming Revisited
by Fred Schroeder, Future Reflections, Winter 1993 - Federationists Join in ADA Lawsuit to Block Medicaid Cuts
by Greg D. Trapp, Braille Monitor, December 1992 - Braille Bills: What Are They and What Do They Mean
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, June 1992 - Independence: To Have And To Hold
by Christine Boone, Braille Monitor, February 1992 - New International Braille Organization
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, October 1991 - Blind Woman's Tools Aid Success (about Karen Edwards)
Braille Monitor, August 1990 - What Use is the Long White Cane?
by Sharon Duffy, Braille Monitor, February 1990 - The Blind Scientist at Los Alamos
by John Rowley, Ph.D., Braille Monitor, January 1990 - Literacy: The Key to Opportunity
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, January 1990
Articles From 1980-1989
- New Mexico Teacher Proud of Students
by Gail Swiech, Future Reflections, Fall 1989 - Competing On Terms of Equality As Blind Students
by Fred Schroeder, Future Reflections, Spring/Summer 1989 - Monitor Miniatures (Steve Sandoval passes away)
Braille Monitor, October 1989 - A Step Toward Equality: Cane Travel Training for The Young Blind Child
by Fred Schroeder, Future Reflections, Winter 1989 - Braille Unscathed
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, November 1988 - Fly Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee
by Larry Lorenzo, Braille Monitor, August 1988 - Braille: Pedagogy, Prejudice, and The Banner of Equality
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, August 1988 - Reflections on Integration
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, December 1986 - Growing up with Independence: The Blind Child's Use of the White Cane
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, December 1986 - Employment: The Pivotal Issue
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, July 1986 - New Mexico Gets a Commission for the Blind
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, July 1986 - To Student Teach or Not to Student Teach
by Fred Schroeder, Braille Monitor, November 1985 - Blindness and Teaching in the Elementary School
by Adelmo Vigil, Future Reflections, Jan/Feb/March 1985 - Of Blindness and Limitations
by Fred Schroeder, Future Reflections, March/April/May 1984 - Profile: Pauline Gomez
Braille Monitor, November 1981 - Monitor Miniatures (about Linda Miller)
Braille Monitor, May 1980
Articles From 1970-1979
- State Convention Reports
Braille Monitor, January 1979 - The Blind Sculptor Of Santa Fe [Reprinted by courtesy of the Denver, Colorado, Post.]
by Olga Curtis, Braille Monitor, June 1976 - New Mexico Convention
by Steve Sandoval, Braille Monitor, October 1975 - New Mexico Convention
by Barbara Innis, Braille Monitor, July 1974 - New Mexico Convention
by Pauline Gomez, Braille Monitor, November 1973 - Evaluation Criticizes State School For The Blind [Reprinted by courtesy of the Albuquerque (New Mexico) Journal.]
by Wayne S. Cott, Braille Monitor, July 1973 - Library Services In New Mexico
by Florence Grannis, Braille Monitor, October 1972 - New Mexico Convention
by Pauline Gomez, Braille Monitor, July 1972 - Blind Band Together To Lobby For Change [Reprinted by courtesy of the Albuquerque (New Mexico) News.]
by Janet Weddleton, Braille Monitor, June 1972 - Meet Our State President--Pauline Gomez And Meet Our State Affiliate--New Mexico
Braille Monitor, May 1972 - New Mexico Convention
by Sharon Bailey, Braille Monitor, June 1971 - Message From Chairman Of Teachers' Division
by Pauline Gomez, Braille Monitor, January 1971 - New Mexico Federationist Honored (about Pauline Gomez, reprinted from The New Mexican, Santa Fe)
Braille Monitor, December 1970 - New Mexico Convention
by Sharon Bailey, Braille Monitor, August 1970 - Monitor Miniatures (Pauline Gomez chosen as Handicapped Woman of the Year for District 9 of Pilot International)
Braille Monitor, July 1970 - Monitor Miniatures (the death of New Mexico Federationist Joseph William Ihnot)
Braille Monitor, March 1970
Articles From 1960-1969
- New Mexico Convention
by Sam Chavez, Braille Monitor, July 1969 - Visually Handicapped Become Radio Operators
Braille Monitor, November 1968 - Monitor Miniatures -- Federationist to Seek Office (references Albert Gonzalez)
Braille Monitor, August 1968 - New Mexico Convention
Braille Monitor, August 1968 - Blind Navajo Preacher (UPI--SANOSTEE, N. M., April 7, 1968)
Braille Monitor, May 1968 - Victory In Bobeen Case
Braille Monitor, June 1967 - Pauline Gomez Named Santa Fe Woman Of The Year
Braille Monitor, June 1967 - Count-Down New Mexico Convention
by G. R. Bobeen, Braille Monitor, May 1967 - Gonzales Appointed To School Board
by G. R. Bobeen, Braille Monitor, May 1967 - All hail new mexico!
Braille Monitor, May 1967 - New Mexico Federationists Score Legislative Victory
by G. R. Bobeen, Braille Monitor, May 1967 - Monitor Miniatures (New Mexico affiliate is vigorously supporting bills)
Braille Monitor, March 1967 - Las Luminarias Holds Legislative Symposium
by G. R. Bobeen, Braille Monitor, February 1967 - New Mexico Vending Stand Hearing
Braille Monitor, November 1966 - Fund Set Up In Memory Of Tony Moya (Reprinted from the Santa Fe New Mexican, August 12, 1965)
Braille Monitor, October 1965 - Tony Moya, State Leader, Killed by Auto
Braille Monitor, September 1965 - State Convention In New Mexico
Braille Monitor, July 1965 - New Mexico Blind Introduce Two Bills (one geared to vending stands and the other to construction of public buildings)
Braille Monitor, April 1965 - Struggle Against Odds (Condensed)
by Pauline Gomez, BRAILLE MONITOR, September 1964 - New Mexico's Fight For Orientation Center
The Blind American, January 1964 - Brothers ... & others -- Help Wanted (Pauline Gomez asking alumni of the California Orientation Center for help in promoting a similar center for New Mexico)
The Blind American, December 1963 - Brothers ... & others -- New Mexico Orientation Center (about a Senate bill in NM establishing an interim joint committee of the Legislature to study the possibility of a state Orientation Center for the Blind)
The Blind American, May 1963 - What is an orientation center for the blind?
by Pauline Gomez, The Blind American, November 1962 - New Mexico Convention (Condensed)
by Pauline Gomez, Braille Monitor, July 1960
Articles From 1957-1959
- Independent Living (a resolution passed at the NFB National Convention in Santa Fe strongly opposing S. 772 which would create sheltered workshops and improperly place medical care and self-help functions within the scope of vocational rehabilitation programs)
Braille Monitor, October 1959 - Convention Notes
Braille Monitor, August 1959 - More About The Santa Fe Convention
Braille Monitor, March 1959 - Santa Fe Convention
Braille Monitor, January 1959 - Preliminary NFB Convention Bulletin
Braille Monitor, October 1958 - New Mexico Convention
by Joe Salazar, Braille Monitor, October 1958 - Here And There (a comment on New Mexico Federation of the Blind membership and an excerpt from its Bulletin)
Braille Monitor, July 1958 - Here And There (state seminar held near Santa Fe)
Braille Monitor, October 1957 - State Conventions: Georgia, New Mexico, Kansas, Iowa
Braille Monitor, July 1957