Tag: disability history

Elizabeth Blackwell was the first female doctor in the U.S. and England. She lost an eye in an accident, but spent her whole life denying her disability.

Elizabeth Blackwell: The disabled doctor that hated sick people

txchronicmom@gmail.comdisability

I’ve known about Elizabeth Blackwell for a long time, but what I did not know was that she suffered a serious eye injury while practicing medicine and became disabled. That injury changed the trajectory of her life, and possibly the trajectory of medicine as she taught the world that women were capable human beings. I…Continue reading Elizabeth Blackwell: The disabled doctor that hated sick people

Barbara Jordan was the first African American since reconstruction to be elected to the Texas senate. And that was just the first barrier that she crossed.

Disabled Women in History: Barbara Jordan breaking barriers

txchronicmom@gmail.comdisability

Today’s badass disabled woman is Barbara Jordan. Her story includes so many “firsts” it’s hard to keep track of them all.  A not exhaustive list of Barbara Jordan’s firsts: First African American to give the keynote address at either party’s political convention First African American to serve in the Texas State Senate since Reconstruction First…Continue reading Disabled Women in History: Barbara Jordan breaking barriers

Wilma Mankiller was the first female Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

Badass Disabled Women in History: Wilma Mankiller

txchronicmom@gmail.comdisability

Today, I have an extraordinary story of Wilma Mankiller, a badass disabled woman. She participated in the occupation of Alcatraz, was the Time woman of the year, was the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, won the medal of freedom in 1998, and lived with polycystic kidney disease.  The first thing you notice…Continue reading Badass Disabled Women in History: Wilma Mankiller