Annie Glenn
An astronaut's wife who transformed her lifelong struggle with a stutter into a powerful national advocacy for people with communication disorders.
1920–2020 (age 100)·American advocate·Birthday: February 17·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Annie Glenn lived much of her early life in the shadow of her famous husband, astronaut and senator John Glenn, but she ultimately forged a formidable legacy of her own. From childhood, she battled a severe stutter that was so debilitating it made telephone conversations nearly impossible and left her feeling isolated. For decades, she supported John's very public career while managing her private challenge. A turning point came in 1973 when, at age 53, she enrolled in an intensive fluency program that dramatically improved her speech. Liberated, she dedicated the rest of her life to advocacy. She became a respected lecturer and professor of speech pathology at Ohio State University, using her personal story to destigmatize stuttering and champion services for those with disabilities. She shifted the national conversation, reminding the public that courage isn't only about riding rockets, but also about finding one's voice.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Annie was born in 1920, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Annie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1920
#1 Movie
Way Down East
Annie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1920Born
Women gain the right to vote in the US
Home: $3,395President: Woodrow Wilson"Swanee" — Al Jolson
1925Started school
The Scopes Trial debates evolution in schools
Home: $4,366President: Calvin Coolidge"Sweet Georgia Brown" — Ben Bernie
1933Became a teenager
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1936Could drive
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1938Could vote
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1941Turned 21
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1950Turned 30
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1960Turned 40
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1970Turned 50
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1980Turned 60
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1990Turned 70
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
2000Turned 80
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2020Died at 100
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
Key Achievements
- Became a prominent national advocate and lecturer for the stuttering and disability communities after overcoming a severe stutter in her fifties.
- Served as an adjunct professor in the Speech Pathology department at The Ohio State University.
- Awarded the first-ever Award for Meritorious Service to the National Association for Hearing and Speech Action.
Did You Know?
She and John Glenn were childhood sweethearts, meeting when they were just toddlers and marrying in 1943.
She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, the nation's highest civilian honor.
She held a private pilot's license, which she earned before John Glenn earned his.
Her fluency treatment in 1973 was so successful she was able to give television interviews for the first time.
“My voice is a gift I worked for, and I intend to use it.”
