Desere Patterson Honored with Ruth Usher Community Interpreter Award During Deaf Awareness Month

September is Deaf Awareness Month, a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions and achievements of the Deaf community. It is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and honor those who have significantly impacted Deaf advocacy and interpreting.

On Saturday, September 14, Desere Patterson, Associate Faculty member in American Sign Language at Riverside City College (RCC), was honored with the Ruth Usher Community Interpreter Award at the 25th Annual DeaFestival in downtown Riverside. This distinguished award, named in memory of Ruth Usher—a revered ASL/English interpreter who served the Inland Empire for three decades—celebrates a legacy of excellence, courage, and commitment to the Deaf community.

Patterson’s career, spanning nearly three decades, began in 1994 with her role as an interpreter at Riverside City College. Her contributions to the Deaf community have been profound, including establishing a Deaf scout unit at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, leading mentoring events, and advocating for Certified Deaf Interpreters. These achievements reflect the spirit of Ruth Usher’s dedication and impact.

Reflecting on receiving the award, Patterson shared:

"Being chosen for this recognition is truly an honor. If being recognized by the Deaf community (the hands that raised me) weren’t enough, this moment means even more to me as it is named after a personal colleague and true friend—Ruth Usher. She was a trailblazer, who our community recently lost to Covid."

Ruth Usher’s legacy inspires professionals like Patterson, who remain devoted to advancing services and inclusivity for the Deaf community. In addition to her teaching, Patterson has played a critical role in local government efforts, including advocating for DeafBlind services and promoting the use of Certified Deaf Interpreters in public broadcasts. Her work has helped shape policies and guided both new and experienced interpreters.

As Deaf Awareness Month continues, Patterson’s achievements remind us of the profound difference one individual can make in their community. Her efforts in advancing Deaf services and advocating for inclusivity reflect the values celebrated this month and at RCC.