Anne Carlsen

Anne Helen Carlsen (November 4, 1915 – December 2, 2002) was an American special educator born without forearms or lower legs, a disability rights advocate, private school superintendent, author, and namesake of a private school.

Early years and early education Carlsen was born in Grantsburg, Wisconsin on Nov. 4, 1915 without forearms or functioning lower legs. Her upper arms ended above the elbow levels. One leg ended above the knee and the other "was malformed, terminating in a club foot." She was the daughter of Alfred and Maren (Nielsen) Carlsen. Her mind was sharp so her parents and siblings (four brothers and an older sister) encouraged her learning and development at home. Carlsen's mother died when she was 4 years old, so Carlsen's father and older sister raised her. She started her formal education at the age of 8 years and completed school through the 8th grade in Grantsburg at the age of 12 years (including the completion of two grade levels in one year). Her brothers would carry her to and from school or pull her on a sled when there was enough snow on the ground. While in high school, Carlsen received therapy and surgery to be able to walk. She graduated in 1934 from St. Paul-Luther Jr. College - St. Paul, Minnesota. She moved back to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1940 to teach Junior High for one year at Gillette State Hospital. In 1941, Lutheran Hospitals and Homes Society purchased the Good Samaritan School in Fargo, ND, renamed it "Crippled Children's School," and moved it to Jamestown, North Dakota. She returned to Jamestown and her position as the School's principal in 1950. She was also named its superintendent that year. Carlsen held the administrator position until her retirement in 1981. She also served the School as child guidance director from 1950 to 1981. She was described as an inspiration who helped students achieve independence. In spite of all the accolades she received, in a 1981 interview, Dr. Carlsen said "her greatest satisfactions as an educator and mentor ... were the graduates of the Center." Inducted into National Teachers Hall of Fame 1975 N.D. 50th Anniversary Rehabilitant - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 1970 Humanitarian Award - N.D. Council for Exceptional Children 1970 Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award - State of N.D. 1966 Outstanding Citizen of the Year - Jamestown Chamber of Commerce 1967 Minnesota Outstanding Achievement Award - University of Minnesota 1964 President's Trophy - Handicapped American of the Year 1958 Wartburg College—The Graven Award for Outstanding Christian Lay Leadership 1991 Moorhead State University - L.B. Hartz - Professional Achievement Award 1991