Douglas Tilden and PSAD:
American Federation of the Deaf
Douglas Tilden,
a deaf Californian sculpture,
was one of the most gifted
artists in America.
By Reginald L. Boyd

In 1916, Douglas Tilden, a well-known Deaf sculptor and a professor at the University of San Francisco, had disagreed with the NAD’s policies on the convention’s delegation and membership dues, among a few other things. Tilden and his followers began to attack NAD. For instance, Tilden objected to the location where convention was held, more likely there will be officers from that host city. In 1896, the NAD convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and top 3 officers came from Philadelphia. And the membership dues back then, NAD charged 10 percent to each State Association to become an affiliate member. During that time, PSAD was considered to be the wealthiest organization, because it owned property, which managed the Home for the Aged of the Deaf and Blind. PSAD would have to pay a heavy due to the NAD. For some time, PSAD had worked with NAD to resolve these differences.

Instead of working with NAD, Tilden wanted to take over NAD but later he realized that he could not run for any office. He refused to become a member of NAD. His State, California, would not be a host for the convention for a long time later. He decided to form a new national organization of the Deaf, called the America Federalization of the Deaf (AFD) in 1920.

For 2 years, Tilden had been recruiting State Associations to be an affiliate member of AFD and break up with NAD. There were about 15 - 20 State Associations during that time. Tilden insisted the PSAD to join AFD because he knew that PSAD was having some problems with NAD. Instead of making hasty and quick decision, PSAD set up a committee to study this plan. The committee lasted for 2 years before PSAD made a final decision.

The other State Associations were leaning toward joining AFD depended on PSAD. They mentioned if PSAD joined AFD then at least 6 State Association would do the same. So, in a sense, they were watching PSAD closely for 2 years.

When the time finally arrived for PSAD to make its decision. PSAD decided to reject AFD. AFD was not a trusted organization and PSAD wanted to work with NAD on improving their relationship. The other State Associations followed PSAD's decision and turned AFD down too. The result of this outcome caused AFD to collapse 6 months later.

Now, what if PSAD had made a hasty decision and joined AFD. Would our history be different today? Would Libby be a president of AFD today instead of NAD? Or even worse, would we have a National Association of the Deaf?