This Woman Learned Sign Language to Help All Her Employees Feel Loved and Valued

On her first morning as manager of the Walmart in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in September 2022, Vanessa Bennett, 28, gathered her staff together to introduce herself. She soon noticed a man and woman, who she would learn were married, using American Sign Language. Her first thought was: How are we going to communicate?

“Do you read lips?” she asked, and the man, Ali Ibrahim, 42, who has some speech, replied, “A little bit.” He then held up his cell phone and, using words and hand motions, asked Vanessa to put what she’d like to say into texts. Ali’s wife, Maryam, 40, deaf and mute, looked on as the pair exchanged messages.

Still, Vanessa realized how much easier it would be if she knew sign language. Not only would it improve communication, but she also wanted the couple to feel welcome. And suddenly, Vanessa blurted out: “I want to learn sign language. Can you help me?”

A sign of respect

Ali first joined Walmart in 2018, stocking shelves, while Maryam taught sign language at a school. After the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the classes, Ali encouraged her to come work with him. She joined him at Walmart in 2021.

Ali and Maryam, refugees from Iraq who arrived in America in 2010 and the parents of two teenage sons with hearing, were touched by Vanessa’s desire to learn sign language. No other manager had ever expressed interest. That morning, Ali showed Vanessa ASL apps on her phone. But the couple wasn’t sure she’d actually follow through.

But after work that day, Vanessa immediately started teaching herself sign language, using phone apps and YouTube videos. After a week’s practice, she surprised the couple by greeting them with ASL: “Hi, how are you today? My name is Vanessa,” she signed.

Ali and Maryam smiled widely with gratitude. Vanessa continued to learn and asked the couple for help with her progress. “Is this good? Bad?” she’d ask, always greeted with supportive feedback.

Being able to “talk” to them filled Vanessa with pride. And the look of joy Ali and Maryam had every single time inspired her to not only want to keep learning more signs but to get other employees to join her.

Creating community

As she spread the word, managers and associates were enthusiastic. New employees are also quick to get on board. To help them along, each morning when Vanessa gathers the staff for their daily meeting, a new sign is taught—something that has filled Ali and Maryam with gratitude.

The couple now feel valued and appreciated, and signing with their co-workers has also helped them gain promotions. They each supervise other associates, excelling at showing their team how to work together to get things done.

This newfound ability to communicate with their colleagues has also given them more confidence when a shopper asks for help. Ali and Maryam aren’t embarrassed to type into their phones: I’m sorry, I’m deaf, can you text me or show me what you need? I want to help you.

The couple has also shared their experience with their community of deaf friends and encouraged others to apply to Walmart. “Don’t be stressed. It’s a culture of belonging; it doesn’t matter that you can’t hear, there’s a position for you,” they tell their friends. Two have since joined their Walmart team in Grand Rapids.

Vanessa, now fluent in ASL, carries on spirited conversations with the couple. “It’s brought us together as a team and really given us a sense of camaraderie, “ says Vanessa. “Now it’s kind of like we are a family. We all have each other’s backs. We’re here to get this job done together.”

As for Maryam and Ali, they are forever grateful to Vanessa and their co-workers for learning to sign. “We’ve never had anyone who seems like they care so much,” says Ali. “We’ve never felt such a great sense of belonging before.”

For more real-life comfort stories, click here!

After Six Decades Apart 4 Best Friends Were Reunited by Chance

Cancer Survivors Reunite After 30 Years and Work at Same Hospital

How a 100-Year-Old Woman Became a Social Media Sensation: Her Story