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Angels camp mayor is the first female deaf mayor in the country

"I think the biggest thing is that as a deaf person there's no box that fits all," Folendorf said. "We're all unique in the way we grew up because of the system."

Amanda Folendorf is the newest mayor of Angels Camp and the first female deaf mayor in the country.

"Honored, surprised," Folendorf said. "It's an amazing thing to be able to be."

Folendorf was seven years old when she learned she was deaf.

"They tested and tested and I was fine," Folendorf said. "The doctor decided one more. Let's try something different so he got a piece of paper and covered his face and that moment I stopped responding and he realized I didn't know what he was saying."

Foldendorf was able to communicate with others by reading their lips, something she still does during city council meetings.

"I use interpreters," Folendorf said. "So there's usually a live interpreter or on my iPad. Sometimes I'll have the iPad up and someone will call in to the meeting."

Folendorf ran for mayor because she wanted to give back to the city she grew up in. She really hopes to influence her generation and the ones that follow to get involved in government.

"I think the biggest thing is that as a deaf person there's no box that fits all," Folendorf said. "We're all unique in the way we grew up because of the system."

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