Celebrating Women's History Month: 5 History-Changing Women with Disabilities

Mar 25, 2024

For Women's History Month, we're celebrating by learning about 5 remarkable women with disabilities who have made history in the last ten years. Get to know them below!

Haben Girma - The first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma has become an influential advocate for people with disabilities. Recognized by President Obama as a White House Champion of Change and by Forbes in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Girma has tirelessly worked to enhance accessibility in technology and education. She has also authored a memoir, sharing her journey and advocating for equal opportunities for people with disabilities.

Alice Wong - A disability activist, media maker, and consultant, Alice Wong is the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, an online community dedicated to creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture. Wong has also contributed to several anthologies and projects that highlight the experiences of disabled people, and she works to ensure that these voices are included in conversations about diversity and social justice.

Judy Heumann (1947-2022) - Though Judy Heumann passed away in early 2022, her impact over the past decade has been profound. As an internationally recognized leader in the disability rights community, Heumann's work has significantly influenced disability policy and advocacy worldwide. Her memoir, "Being Heumann," co-authored with Kristen Joiner, and the documentary film "Crip Camp" have brought her story and the broader disability rights movement to a global audience, inspiring a new generation of activists.

Rebecca Cokley - As a disability rights activist and policy expert, Rebecca Cokley has worked to increase political and societal engagement with disability issues. Serving in the Obama Administration and at the Center for American Progress, Cokley has focused on disability policy, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities. Her advocacy emphasizes the intersectionality of disability, race, and gender, and she has been a vocal critic of policies that marginalize disabled individuals.

Maysoon Zayid - An American actress, comedian, and disability advocate, Maysoon Zayid has cerebral palsy. She is one of America's first Muslim women comedians and the first person ever to perform standup in Palestine and Jordan. Zayid uses her platform and humor to raise awareness about disability rights and has delivered a TED Talk titled "I got 99 problems... palsy is just one," which became one of the most-watched TED Talks of 2014. Zayid has also appeared on television and in film, using her talents to challenge stereotypes and advocate for greater representation of people with disabilities in the media.

These women exemplify how individuals with disabilities are not only navigating a world not always designed for them but are also actively reshaping it to be more inclusive and equitable for everyone.