The impact of Doreen Pollack’s method for teaching children who are deaf to listen and talk has literally been “heard” around the world. She was a true pioneer in the field of speech pathology and audiology at a time when the medical community did not believe anything could be done for the profoundly deaf child. Her intellect, dedication and tenacity changed the way we look at, address and treat children with hearing loss both in Colorado and internationally. She immigrated to the United States in 1948 after graduating from London University, moved to Denver in 1951, and lived in Colorado for the remainder of her life.
Full list of 2018 Colorado Women's Hall of Fame inductees
In 1969, a group of parents of children that benefited by Doreen’s method formed the non-profit The Listen Foundation in Denver, which continues to support families, and children who use her methods today. Listen Foundation was the first organization in the world to advocate Listening and Spoken Language therapy (LSL), and remains Colorado’s only parent-centered, auditory-based communication approach for teaching children who are deaf and hard of hearing spoken language through listening.
Doreen Pollack is a 2018 inductee into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame.
The Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame was created to recognize, honor and preserve the contributions of trailblazing Colorado women. Both historical and contemporary women have shared foresight, vision and accomplishment, but lacked a forum for recognition. Since 1985, the Hall has inducted 152 extraordinary women who have been outstanding in their field, elevated the status of women, helped open new frontiers for women or inspired others by their example. Inductees include scientists, teachers, social activists, philanthropists, authors, business leaders, elected officials and more.