Welcome to our 29th Woman of the Week!Today we will be discussing Haben Girma, an American Advocate! Enjoy!
As a lawyer advocating for people with disabilities and as the first deafblind graduate of Harvard University, Haben Girma accomplished what many dream to and keeps on doing so(Haben Girma – Disability Rights Lawyer, Author, Speaker). The daughter of Eritrean refugees, Girma was born in the Bay Area on July 29, 1988. She lost both her hearing and vision to an unknown disease like her brother. In her childhood, she volunteered to build schools in Mali. She credits her successes to the “Americans with Disabilities Act” and accessible technology such as the digital braille device, in which she graduated from high school in 2006.
At Lewis and Clark College, Girma earned her Bachelor, graduated magna cum laude, and successfully lobbied for more accommodations for disabled people in their cafeterias. At Harvard University, Girma earned her Juris Doctor in 2013. Her education built the foundation for a decorated career in both activism and law; Girma says her purpose in becoming a lawyer was to increase book and technology access for people with disabilities(Meet Haben Girma, the deafblind woman who conquered Harvard). Girma worked with the Disability Rights Advocates(DRA) as a staff attorney, also representing the National Federation of the Blind in some cases. Girma was a speaker for TEDxBaltimore in 2014 and also called them out for not providing captions which could aid viewers(Haben Girma (1988- ). Girma also spoke about accessible design for the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference and to President Obama in 2014 about accessible tech.
One striking event from her advocacy timeline is her op-ed published by the Washington Post that led Helen Keller to remain in Texas’ social studies curriculum. Girma’s accomplishments and advocacy for disabled peoples have been recognized by Forbes 30 under 30: Law and Policy, the Obama Administration, NBC, etc. Now, Girma takes on non-litigation advocacy and has released a memoir titled “Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law.” From Girma, a deafblind woman who graduated Magna Cum Laude in undergrad, earned a JD at Harvard University, and spends her free time doing physical activities such as kayaking, surfing, and cycling, we can learn that no matter doubt or disability, anybody can reach their dreams and help others do so(Haben Girma).
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