Leah Katz-Hernandez is only 28, but she has made history as well as witnessed it.
In her position as White House receptionist, she has seen every person who has a meeting with President Obama. But Katz-Hernandez herself has been hailed worldwide as "a pioneer" because she is the first deaf person ever to hold the position of "ROTUS" - receptionist of the United States.
Katz-Hernandez worked her way up from an unpaid volunteer position in the 2008 campaign to the West Wing.
"Other (than) serving President Obama and supporting his vision for America," she told NBC Latino, "I did this because I wanted to prove that our people could work in this field and succeed."
A graduate of Gallaudet University, Hernandez has access to a sign-language interpreter to do her job.
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Despite dealing with Cabinet members and world leaders on a daily basis, Hernandez does not get nervous or intimidated. "I love meeting new people, and am happy in my position," she said.
Hernandez says that being such a visible and high-profile member of her community is important for the next generation.
"I will always remember bringing in deaf children to the White House and one of these deaf children introduced First Lady Michelle Obama at a 'Let's Move' event," she tells NBC Latino.
"We (the deaf community) have always been separate, but now we are becoming more and more part of the public consciousness in an equal way, and I'm proud of that, especially for our children."
