March 2007 Centennial Issue

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From Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York:

The centennial of The Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Matilda Ziegler's generous spirit and the publication's long tradition of enhancing the lives of the blind and visually impaired.

When Matilda Ziegler founded the magazine in 1907, this first general-interest periodical for blind people opened the world of print literature to individuals with visual impairments. Though advances in technology have allowed people with visual impairments virtually unhampered access to information, the Ziegler Magazine remains very popular with a readership of thousands of people around the globe.

Thanks to the generosity of Matilda Ziegler and the dedicated team that carries on her legacy, people with visual impairments have greater access to high-quality articles on health, travel, music, sports and many other general interests. On the centennial of this worthy publication, we celebrate its long tradition of excellence and look forward to its continued success.

From B.T. Kimbrough, Mississippi State University, MS:

I regularly enjoy many of the articles and comments in this one of a kind magazine. As informative as many of the pieces are, the real achievement comes in bringing together an international community of readers and giving us the chance to engage each other in lively discussion. It is highly unlikely that such a dialogue could take place were it not for Matilda Ziegler's rare gift and the staff's conscientious stewardship.

From Hamdi Temirbas, Ankara, Turkey:

Every month I receive the Matilda Ziegler Magazine I deeply feel a very special debt of gratitude to its great, respected founder, Mrs. William Ziegler, its editor and staff, and the Clovernook Center, which publishes the braille edition. As a blind person living alone, the arrival of the magazine each month makes me feel as though a friendly visitor has come from the United States to see me. As a retired teacher of English, I shall always remember and appreciate this contribution to my life.

From John Wesley Smith, Hallsville, MO:

I have received the Ziegler for about 20 years and always look forward to its arrival. Though I can access a great deal of varied reading material on the Internet with my computer and screen reader, the variety of thoughtfully selected articles in the Ziegler is greatly appreciated. I'm a news and information hound, but seldom see any duplication of content compared to what I read elsewhere.

When I first subscribed, I received the Ziegler in braille, since I wanted to improve my braille reading skills. Later I switched to the cassette edition, where the readers do an excellent and professional job.

Mrs. Ziegler truly did a wonderful thing for the blind over the past 100 years by making possible the magazine that bears her name. We should all be so fortunate as to have such a long-lasting impact on the lives of so many. My heartfelt thanks go to those involved with all aspects of the production of the Ziegler in the past, present and future.

From Al Fick, Cornwall, PA:

Every month when I insert a new Ziegler Magazine tape in my Library of Congress tape player, I say a silent and sincere thank you to Matilda Ziegler. Surely no other individual has touched in such a profound way so many thousands of blind people. How much greater was her gift to humanity than would have been an impressive building or other memorial with her name emblazoned on it. Thank you, Matilda Ziegler, and thank you to the staff of her magazine, which has informed, enlightened and entertained so many over the past century.

From Lyn Dean, San Jose, CA:

I'm thankful to Mrs. Ziegler for her gift of the magazine. I can't write a nice letter, but the magazine means a lot to so many of us. There are things we would never know without it. Much thanks to you all.

From Evelyn Guderian, Claymont, DE:

With its interesting content and compact size, the Ziegler has been my bedside companion for 40 years. Congratulations on your centennial!

From Isaac Obie, Boston, MA:

The late Leo Queenan, my teacher from fourth to sixth grade at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA, introduced me to the Ziegler way back in the early 1960's. He thought it was a wonderful magazine. I read the magazine off and on until I settled into my own home years later and became a steady reader. On behalf of Leo Queenan and myself, I thank Mrs. Ziegler for her wonderful gift.

From Yenealem Tesfahun, Amhara, Ethiopia:

I'm always happy when I receive the Ziegler each month. Through reading this magazine, my life has been changed in many aspects. It provides me with a lot of knowledge, views and new ideas from other readers, and helps me to improve my English greatly. In addition, it enables me to know how other people who are visually impaired live, and how they are seen by the sighted people in their country. The magazine, without exaggeration, is my best friend, my school and my life.

From David Glagola, Pittsburgh, PA:

I've been reading the Ziegler for more than 60 years. High praise to Mrs. Ziegler for her foresight and generosity to blind people. By providing us with our own magazine, with articles, stories, and news just like everyone else gets, she connected us to the rest of society. She mainstreamed us into the regular community 50 years before the term "mainstream" became fashionable. We're all grateful to that noble woman.

From Mary Ann Boord, Schenectady, NY:

I was so pleased to hear Matilda Ziegler was born in Schuylerville, NY. I grew up nearby, in a little town called Mechanicsville, about 25 minutes away. When I heard her story, I blessed her. I always look forward to receiving the Ziegler tape, and I even save articles from it.

From Sonia Holmer, Saratoga Springs, NY:

I have been getting the Ziegler Magazine for many years now, and I love it. Your articles are always interesting and well chosen. I found the article on Matilda Ziegler's life fascinating. She was born very near where I now live. I had always wondered about her great gift, and was amazed to learn that her fortune came from baking powder.

From Patrick Mulvey, Portland, OR:

What a farsighted lady Matilda Ziegler was. Her magazine does, indeed, help to expand my horizons and my knowledge of the world around me. I hope that this magazine will continue to give blind people a window on the world that would be hard to equal in any other way.

From Charles Biebl, Baltimore, MD:

If Mrs. Ziegler were alive today, I'd first thank her for such a wonderful magazine, and second for making it possible for us to have it without charge. This is something that could have been overlooked. I hope her son had an opportunity to enjoy the magazine as well. Was he ever a subscriber?

[Editor's Note: Although I can find no subscription record for Charles Gamble, I believe that Matilda Ziegler's son surely must have read her magazine.]

From Faye Berube, Fall River, MA:

The Matilda Ziegler, our little magazine, is just full of enjoyable reading. From the editorial to the Readers Forum reflecting the opinions of the blind community, everything is great, and I don't miss a dot. I wish I could tell Matilda Ziegler personally how much I appreciate all the pleasurable reading she has provided me in my chosen format, braille. Nevertheless, I will say, "Thank you, Matilda Ziegler, and thank you, Louis Braille."

From Alice Amero, Digby County, Nova Scotia:

I live in a rural area, where news of the day is not always available. I have been receiving the Matilda Ziegler Magazines ince 1939. It has kept me in touch with what is going on in the world. I can read it at my own pace, on my own time. I look forward to receiving it each month. Thank you very much.

From Mary Fischer, Johnson City, TN:

I consider the Ziegler Magazine to be the foremost magazine for blind people. Since I subscribed in December 1995, I have found so much useful information in its pages, not to mention all the interesting articles and short stories. Mrs. Matilda Ziegler had forethought, far sight, and insight in bequeathing to blind people a magazine for their edification, education and pleasure. I would also like to thank the Ziegler staff for providing the blind community, nationally and globally, with hours of fun and useful bits and pieces from all over.

From Abraham Medari, Chicago, IL:

Thank you for sending me the Ziegler Magazine's July 2006 issue. My finger read Vol. 100, and I stopped to think about it. I used to read the magazine in the 1950's as a student in Hyderabad, India. Somehow I could not get it after 1956. I feel sorry to think that I missed 50 years of its publication. The magazine is a great tribute to the memory of Mrs. Ziegler, and it is a rare privilege for blind people like me to read it.

From Anne and Martin Kelly, County Kildare, Ireland:

As Matilda Ziegler's gift to blind people around the world reaches the grand old age of 100, here is an Irish/Scottish perspective on it (Anne is from Scotland).

Neither of us remembers how we first heard of the magazine; it was a good number of years ago. We have found it entertaining, informative, and a conduit for bringing blind people from all parts of the world together.

What an opportune time for this celebration: 2007 just happens to be the International Year of Equal Opportunity! The Matilda Ziegler Magazine can be very proud of its contribution to reducing inequalities and providing unparalleled opportunities for blind people in a world without borders. Beside the valuable information shared in its wideranging articles, the Ziegler empowers people particularly by generating and encouraging lively debate.

Since we discovered this means of communicating around the globe, some facets of our lives have been altered fundamentally. By publishing our reflections on the Americans with Disabilities Act in Readers Forum in August 2005, the Ziegler opened up a new line of communication for us: We are networking with likeminded individuals on a regular basis.

If Matilda Ziegler were still with us, we believe the Ziegler community would be unanimous in their appreciation of her gift. Her farseeing philanthropic gesture 100 years ago has undoubtedly stood the test of time. Blind folk around the world are reminded of Matilda Ziegler's contribution to society each month when the magazine drops into their mailboxbe it traditional or electronic.

Here's a Scottish wish for the Ziegler: Lang may yer lum reek!Long may your chimney smoke! (Because if your chimney is smoking, you must be alive and stoking the fire.)

From Ali Asghar Asadi, Teheran, Iran:

My thanks for this great magazine. It's the best service anyone has done for every blind person around the world. May God bless Matilda Ziegler's soul. My thanks, also, to the editor and his colleagues.

From Olga Kulinka, Novomirgorod, Ukraine:

I've been a Ziegler reader since April 2002, and it's one of the best magazines I've ever read. Without realizing it, Mrs. Matilda Ziegler was a heroine of her time. A century after she founded it, her wonderful gift continues to entertain and inform and unite blind people around the world. Thanks are also due, of course, to the editors and staff, who have maintained the magazine's quality. Although Mrs. Matilda Ziegler was awarded no honors during her lifetime, the magazine is a monument to her philanthropy. The world is held up by such people as Matilda Ziegler.

From Timothy Nduka, Enugu, Nigeria:

My vocabulary is inadequate to express my gratitude to the founder of this wonderful magazine and to those who work for it. The editors, past and present, especially, have tirelessly labored to sustain the spirit of this great bequest to the blind community the world over.

Particularly worth mention is the Readers Forum section, which gives readers the opportunity to exchange their ideas and experiences. Nothing can be more relieving and soothing to a perplexed and tormented mind than to let off steam to interested listeners.

From Cynthia Groopman, Long Island City, NY:

After I learned to read braille well, I was told about the Ziegler Magazine. I called the office immediately and spoke to a lovely person. It sounded as though I was going to enter a world of adventure through reading.

After a few weeks the large envelope arrived. I hurriedly opened it, and as my fingers raced across the dotted pages, I read meaningful stories, a poem and readers' letters. I learned that there were other blind people who were having the same problems I was experiencing. I no longer felt alone. The Pen Pal section enchanted me. I began to use my new braille writing skills to write to some of the people who had placed ads in the magazine. Meaningful friendships developed.

The Ziegler has opened my mind, stimulated and motivated me in many ways. To think that Mrs. Ziegler was so kind and caring as to provide this wonderful magazine free of charge for 100 years makes me glow with triumph.

The Ziegler is the window in my world. It has brought light to the unseen, has stimulated my imagination, influenced me to write poetry, and encouraged me to carry on. The Ziegler is an extremely important part of my life. Friends, confidence, information, spirituality, knowledge and learningall are the gifts the Ziegler has given me. God bless all concerned!

From Shuimu Chen, Beijing, China:

I've been a reader of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for 30 years. Thank you for publishing such a fabulous magazine. I look forward each month to devouring the braille issue, which provides me with a great variety of information on many aspects of life. I enjoy the poem and story and, especially, Readers Forum because it gives visually challenged people an opportunity to express their frustrations and to give accolades. I want to congratulate Gregory Evanina and Ruth Davis, who do a superb job of giving us frequently fascinating and otherwise unavailable material in so few pages.

I consider the Ziegler the greatest gift to blind people all over the world. We should never forget the most noble benefactor, Mrs. William Ziegler. March is the Matilda Ziegler Magazine's 100th anniversary. Splendid! Congratulations! I love the magazine. It is a lamp shining the way for us in the dark world.

From Nancy Scott, Easton, PA:

The Ziegler Magazine has helped me in many ways. Here are a few:

--I bought my first used Braille 'n Speak from a listing in Special Notices in the early 1990's. It was affordable. The seller was honest and prompt. That notetaker and its upgrades changed my life and helped my writing career enormously. I can't imagine a day without it now.

--I sold many copies of my poetry chapbook, Hearing the Sunrise, through Special Notices. I also have publicized numerous organizational resources during 20 years that I have received the magazine.

--My op-ed piece, which appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, among others, was written as a direct result of a letter published in Readers Forum. That Inquirer byline paid me $100 and gave me bragging rights for weeks. It also earned me a personal letter from disabilities activist Justin Dart.

Mrs. Ziegler is still making a difference after 100 years. What a legacy!

From Muhammad Fakhruddeen, Tamil Nadu, India:

I want to express my happiness for the centennial celebration of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine. I never cease to browse the pages of the Ziegler, from A Letter from the Editor at the beginning to Bits and Pieces at the end.

From Ali Tayane, Casablanca, Morocco:

Thank you so much for your services to our family of blind people all over the world. Your lovely magazine has helped us to develop friendships and relationships with each other. It has helped me particularly to improve my English. I express my gratitude to Mrs. Matilda Ziegler for her kindness and her charity.

From Samuel Paul, Jos City, Nigeria:

Let me compliment you on your great efforts on behalf of the blind community worldwide. By making available braille reading matter, you have propagated and promoted braille literacy.

Whenever I read your publication, I feel the professional touch on every dot, letter, word, sentence, paragraph, page and volume.

I wish you knew how much you have offered me by enabling me to communicate with my contemporaries worldwide. I have also acquired diverse information through your articles. The Ziegler is giving an unparalleled service to our blind community.

From Marcia Harrison, Richmond, VA:

What do you say to the best magazine in the world on its 100th birthday? Thank you, Matilda Ziegler Magazine, for being in my lifemore than any boy, more than any kin folks, more than anything. I've always looked forward to the Ziegler once a month. I first discovered the Ziegler in the library of the Virginia State School for the Deaf and Blind at Staunton, VA, and I hope you stay in my life for many years. Happy birthday, Matilda Ziegler Magazine!

From Romeo Edmead of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind:

Since June 3, 2004, I have had what I would consider the ideal job. As I arrive each day at the Ziegler's comfortable office 13 floors above Manhattan, I anticipate writing my own articles, transcribing your messages, and speaking to you on the telephone.

Although this may be puzzling to some, the letters and phone calls I appreciate most are the ones that are asking why someone did not receive his or her magazine. My reason for this is pretty simple, and it is that no one ever inquires about something they don't miss. Sometimes we can be guilty of taking things for granted, especially if they are free, but you subscribers do more than enough to show us how much you appreciate our work.

The excitement you exude for the Ziegler is very conspicuous whenever I've had the distinct pleasure of meeting hundreds of you at annual conventions during the past three summers. I enjoy it when you stop by our booth, sometimes several times a day, just to tell me about your alltime favorite articles or to offer any suggestions you may have. Despite the fact that I should be used to this by now, I'm always astonished when you cassette subscribers recognize my voice amongst thousands of babbling people. I find this unique because, as you know, my articles are not in every issue, so it speaks to just how attentively you listen to our cassettes.

As for you braille subscribers, whether you realize it or not, you continue to send a message to many educators, who inexplicably feel that braille is now obsolete. Just like the articles in our magazine, there is something for everyone when it comes to your format of choice.

All of you take care, and stay tuned for the sequel of this letter when the 200th anniversary arrives.

From Ruth Davis of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind:

Producing each monthly issue of the Ziegler is a fascinating creative process. I enjoy all of it. But the most interesting part of my job as assistant editor is assembling the Special Notices and Pen Pals sections, because it brings me into contact with readers across the United States and worldwide.

What a contrast between the Ziegler's readers today and those described by Helen Keller 100 years ago, compelled to sit home with nothing to do--unless they had affluent relatives willing to buy them a costly braille book! Today's Ziegler readers go skiing, sailing, deepsea fishing and scuba diving, they race bikes, climb mountains, go hiking and camping, run marathons, ride horseback, knit baby clothes, do archery and martial arts and jigsaw puzzles, play chess or baseball, study German, Swahili or Esperanto, explore science and technology, surf the Internet, grow trees from seeds, collect model cars or ceramics, write poems and novels, paint pictures, visit museums, do volunteer service for their church or community, travel in the United States and abroad, and cruise the oceans.

Especially, modern Ziegler readers enjoy corresponding. I'm thrilled when, as occasionally happens, a friendship that began with a Pen Pals notice leads to a wedding. It's inspiring that many readers make friends not only with people who share their interests and beliefs but with people from other cultures all over the world.

Unemployment is still a curse, but blind people are gaining ground. Today's Ziegler readers are computer programmers, lawyers, therapists, translators, accountants and entrepreneurs; they work in telecommunications, in local and national government, in the railroads; they teach in preschools, junior and high schools and universities; they are musicians, farmers, cooks, radio broadcasters, craftspeople and marketing personnel.

Readers' communications make it clear that blind people still endure hardships and discrimination. Much, much more needs to be done to educate sighted society. A hopeful event is the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, just adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, that will open March 30 for individual countries to ratify.

From Susan Leung of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind:

My main role as circulation manager allows me to come across many, many names and locations. I'm often focused on the rewarding task at hand of changing information for readers, adding new ones, and sometimes taking people off. Occasionally, I learn about the weather or some other aspect of a person's place of residence, and I can for just a moment--only a quick moment--ponder the specialness of this geographic location and of the lifestyle it may bring. When I help to proofread each issue, I sometimes wonder how our readers may like a story that the editors have chosen, or perhaps whether they will read stories at home, on the train, or somewhere else. With all the names and locations coursing through my days, I am pleased that the magazine reaches so many people. Some stay with us for a short time while others are with us for a lengthy tenure.

Beside the many readers we have here in the United States, we also have subscribers in these 90 countries: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxemburg, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man), Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

From Michael Mellor, Brooklyn, NY (Editor, 1984-2002):

An entire century! Did Matilda Ziegler foresee that her generosity in 1907 would still benefit blind people 100 years later? I suspect she did, for she was determined to "ameliorate the condition of blindness," and had the foresight to set up a foundation to ensure that funding would always be available.

What would astound and delight her, I believe, are the technological marvels that now allow blind people to read the Ziegler in many different ways. How could she have foreseen that readers would be able virtually to pluck the magazine out of the air, using wireless technology, and carry it with them in a lightweight device?

By being willing to adapt and change, the Ziegler has, paradoxically, maintained its identity and kept the affection of its worldwide readers. What never changed was the willingness of its remarkably few editors (only seven) to listen to readers and give them what they want.

Here's to the next century!