December: Human Rights Activists and Those with Disabilities Appreciation Month

Those with Disabilities

Kian De Alwis: Alice Wong

Born in 1975 in Indiana, Alice Wong was an important activist for disabled rights and healthcare. She was unfortunately diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which is a progressive neuromuscular disability that gradually reduces muscle strength over time. She earned a degree in English and sociology from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and later completed a master’s in medical sociology. Founding the Disability Visibility Project in 2014, she started a national movement that collected stories from disabled people across the country in order to bring more awareness to various journeys . This project later became a platform for emerging disabled writers with a huge online community. Wong’s works, such as Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century, are unique because of the broad span of topics that are unorthodox for disability-focused writing. During the two year span of 2013-2015, she served on the National Council on Disability as an advisor in order to highlight and solve issues on healthcare reform, accessibility standards, disability employment, and civil rights enforcement. During the Covid-19 pandemic–when people with disabilities were deprioritized–she used social media to help bring awareness to problems such as home care funding, ventilator access, and public health equity. Wong received numerous awards for civic leadership and disability advocacy, and was one of the most important modern voices in disability rights. Unfortunately, she recently passed away on November 14 of this year, but her legacy and impact will carry on for generations to come. 

Myles Cline: Stephen Hawking

Born on the 8th of January, 1942 in Oxford, England, Stephen Hawking found his love for science from his father’s job as a specialist in tropical diseases. In school he started out unsuccessfully, with bad grades, but gradually became very proficient in science and math. He attended Oxford and studied physics and chemistry as math wasn’t available to be studied at the time. He was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 1963 at age 21, being given a life expectancy of two years–which, as he reflected on in 1992, made him realize life really was worth living. He became known for his cleverness and bluntness when challenging the work of astronomer Fred Hoyle at a lecture. During his career, he made important contributions to quantum physics, such as formulating the second law of black hole dynamics and Hawking radiation–all while his motor functions were constantly deteriorating. By the 70s, only close friends and family could understand him and had to translate for him. He persevered and found ways to communicate even after his speech was lost. At first, he would raise his eyebrows to interface with word cards, but then in 1986 he received a program called "Equalizer" which allowed him to talk through choosing words and phrases by pressing a switch. After the 1990s, Hawking accepted the position of being a role model for disabled people; he started fundraisers and lectures advocating for disabled rights. By 2005, Hawking lost most, if not all, motion in his hands and began using cheek muscles to control his speaking device. Despite all of these obstacles, he still published writings and new theories, contributing to science regardless of his physical state. Hawking died peacefully in his home in 2018, was praised by major figures in science and politics, and his ashes were buried next to the graves of Charles Darwin and Sir Issac Newton.

Khoi Crow: Rikki Poynter

Rikki Poynter is a deaf beauty and lifestyle vlogger on YouTube, best known for her activism within the deaf community. She was diagnosed with hearing loss at age eleven, which she  inherited from  one of her parents, and started her YouTube channel just after she graduated high school. Her content mainly focuses on deaf culture, issues, and awareness. She constantly advocates for the deaf community and the importance of accurate closed captioning on YouTube. In 2014, she started talking about how the YouTube auto-captions were often inaccurate and censored words that were not censored within the video. This led her to urge other YouTubers to manually create closed-captions for their videos to help people who are hard of hearing. Today she is posting lifestyle vlogs, reviews, and life updates on her channel. Her contributions both on YouTube and outside of it have helped countless deaf and hard of hearing individuals. 

Emily Chang: Harriet McBryde Johnson

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Harriet McBryde Johnson was a lawyer, writer, and activist who played a crucial role in modern disability activism. She was born with a congenital neuromuscular disease and spent the entirety of her life in a wheelchair–which she used as a tool to broadcast her message and advocate for everyone like her. She rose to fame due to her debates with Peter Singer, a philosopher whose argument was that disabled infants could be ethically euthanized. Her firsthand experience being disabled her whole life had allowed her to affirm that there was more to life than being able-bodied, challenging Singer and anyone who agreed with him with her display of success despite her condition. She has written numerous influential pieces, such as her essay “Unspeakable Conversations” for the New York Times and her memoir Too Late to Die Young; the former being a documentary of her interactions with Peter Singer, and the latter detailing her personal story and her experience in law and activism. She fought for accessibility in public spaces, equal treatment, and voting rights–reframing disability into less of a tragedy and more of an identity to take pride in. While she unfortunately passed in 2008, her influence continues to live on as an immensely impactful figure for those with disabilities today.

Gianna Marie Montesclaros: Josh Sundquist

Josh Sundquist, born January 6, 1984, is an American Paralympian, motivational speaker, author, and comedian known for his inspiring story of resilience and determination. At the age of nine, Josh was diagnosed with cancer, which led to the amputation of his left leg. This life-changing experience shaped his perspective and motivated him to overcome challenges rather than be defined by them. Despite his disability, Josh excelled in athletics, becoming a Paralympic ski racer and competing at an elite level. Beyond sports, he is widely recognized for his work as a motivational speaker, through which he encourages others to embrace life’s obstacles with humor, courage, and creativity. Josh is also an accomplished author, with several books sharing his personal journey, including experiences of growing up with a disability, navigating life’s setbacks, and finding joy in unexpected ways. His story has made him an influential figure in advocating for disability awareness and challenging societal perceptions of what people with disabilities can achieve. Through his life and work, Josh Sundquist has shown that resilience, positivity, and determination can turn adversity into opportunity.

Those Who Fight For Human Rights

Leann Vergara: Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta is currently a human rights activist, with her most notable work being her efforts in co-founding the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) alongside Cesar Chavez, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). Huerta was born on April 10, 1930 to her mother and father, Alicia Chavez and Juan Fernández respectively, in the mixed city of Dawson, New Mexico. She graduated in 1953 with a teaching credential, and was a teacher until 1954. She noticed that many of her students were struggling to get basic necessities such as food and clothing. In the light of this, Huerta quit teaching after a year to help found the NFWA after finding faults in her past associations. She led boycotts and strikes on many products such as wine, lettuce, and grapes to advocate for the rights of farm workers, eventually leading to the passing of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA), the first law to “recognize farmworkers' right to collective bargaining in the state”. Huerta has received many awards in recognition for her work, such as the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award, the Hispanic Heritage Award, and the Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship. Currently, she is president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF), which is "a continuation of the non-violent civil rights movement of the 1970s with the goal to get people involved in their communities and participating in democracy".

Sophia Rasson: Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish activist who is best known for pressuring the government to address serious topics such as climate change and social issues. At the young age of 15, she began to gain global attention for her solo school strike. It inspired the Fridays for Future movement, one of the many times Thunberg strived to demand actions be made to prevent climate change. Born in 2003 in Stockholm, Sweden, her family was all in show business. With her grandfather being an actor, and mother and father acting and singing, Thunberg was surrounded by those made for entertainment. Though her family pictured Thunberg taking the same route, Thunberg heard about climate change for the first time when she was eight years old and couldn't help but take action. Hearing about this serious topic not only caused her to fall into a deep depression, but led her to stop eating and talking. She realized she had to make a change. She began to speak out and protest against climate change, which her parents disagreed with. They disliked the idea of her missing school, but respected her desire to take a stand. In 2015, Thunberg was diagnosed with autism, which she took positively, and claimed it was one of her superpowers. She is recognized as one of the best climate change activists, and is the best-known autism rights activist. Thunberg's impact on the world has been significant as she continues to advocate for climate change and other topics such as human rights and global injustice. Even when she faced harsh criticism, she compelled young people and others to fight against climate change. Many people use her name, claiming the “Greta effect,” to show her lasting impact on those around her.  

Kaia Matsubara: Nelson Mandela 

Activist and former first president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, was a global symbol for social and political justice. Born during a time of struggle and racial segregation, Mandela had a limited idea of freedom at a young age and less evolved understanding of his own profound liberties. He realized in his later years that his freedom was really an illusion when he was a young boy, so he wanted to stand up for black freedom in his community, and later he fought to end apartheid—a system of racial segregation and oppression enforced by the white government, or in simpler words, the Afrikaans word meaning apartness. After studying law for some time, he became involved in the anti-apartheid movement and joined the African National Congress (ANC). He later co-founded the ANC Youth League. While he did peacefully protest against apartheid, he saw its ineffectiveness and therefore had to push for armed resistance against the struggle. He was unfortunately imprisoned for 27 years for activating against it. However, in 1990, a climactic moment in history happened for Mandela and the world when they celebrated his release from prison as he was a beacon of hope at the time while the tension on apartheid was high. This led to the end of apartheid and eventually, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. A year later, he became South Africa’s first black president. Mandela sought change and unity for blacks in a white-dominanting community, was eager to argue against what was wrong, and fight for national equality. He sadly passed away in his home in 2013. Mandela Day, observed on July 18 every year, honors and commemorates his legacy that continues to be carried.

Mahlani Tanap: Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani human rights activist mostly known for her admirable fight for girls’ education. With the encouragement from her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, a teacher and activist, Malala began speaking out at a young age about the importance of education and even wrote a whole blog describing what living was like under the Taliban rule. In 2012, when she was 15, she was targeted by a assasination attempt from the Taliban whilst riding a bus home from school. She survived with a shot to the left side of her head, which led to paralysis in the lower left of her face. Malala Yousafzai took the obstacle as a sign to push forward and not be silenced, she became an even stronger voice for human rights.  She co-founded the Malala Fund to help girls around the world have access to safe, and quality education. In 2014,  she became the youngest person to ever receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Malala Yousafzai continues to inspire people globally by remaining vocal for girls to have the chance to shape their own futures, as well as standing up for equality and justice. 

Sara Gamini: Cesar Chavez 

Cesar Chavez was a prominent labor rights activist and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association. Chavez was born on March 21, 1927, in Yuma, Arizona. He grew up as a farm laborer in a Mexican American family, and moved to California during the Great Depression when his parents lost their farm. In California, Chavez became a migrant worker. He spent his childhood in migrant camps and occasionally attended school. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy during World War II and spent 2 years there, and following his return from the army, Chavez became a migrant worker in Arizona and California. Despite spending his whole life as a migrant worker, he wanted to do something that would make more of a difference in the world, specifically for farmers like him. He trained to be an organizer with the help of the Community Services Organization, and eventually became its general director in 1958. After 4 years as director of CSO, he resigned and became co-founder of NFWA along with Delores Huerta. In 1965, Chavez began a labor strike by California grape pickers that went on for five years, and a nationwide grape boycott along with it. In 1966, the NFWA merged with another group and was able to create the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, which later became known as the United Farm Workers. Due to Chavez’s success in the labor movement, the Teamsters Union used the opportunity to sign up farm workers for its own union. The United Farm Workers retaliated and eventually gained the right to organize farm and field workers. During this time, Chavez was organizing and participating in a series of strikes and boycotts. Thanks to both the UFW and Chavez’s efforts, California passed the Agricultural Labor Relations Act in 1975, which allowed all farm workers to unionize and negotiate for better wages and working conditions. On April 23, 1993, at the age of 66, Chavez died in his sleep. Following his passing, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was accepted by his wife, Helen. Chavez was an amazing activist who had many accomplishments and helped many people.

Jacob Cuares: Malcolm X

Malcolm X, born as “Malcolm Little”, and later known as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz is one of the most well known African American human rights activists. Malcolm was born on May 19, 1925, spending his childhood living in various foster homes and relatives houses. After losing his father and the hospitalization of his mother, Malcolm found himself committing various crimes. He was sentenced to 8-10 years in prison for larceny and burglary. During his time in prison, Malcolm adopted the “Malcolm X”, showing his hatred for the slavemaster originating from the name of “Little.” While in prison, Malcolm educated himself by reading extensively, eventually developing a strong interest in social and political issues affecting African Americans. Despite his rough past, Malcolm became known for his powerful advocating for black empowerment and rejection of systemic oppression. He was a firm believer in pride, and self respect and rejected the idea of integration. Tragically, Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965. He was known as one of the most influential civil rights activists, and his legacy continues to influence civil rights activism. 

LiLi Tanap: Marian Wright Edelman

Born on June 6, 1939, in South Carolina, Marian Wright Edelman is a pioneering civil rights activist and champion for children’s rights. After graduating from Spelman College and Yale Law School, where she became the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar, she began advocating for racial and economic justice. Edelman founded the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) in 1973, transforming it into a leading force for child advocacy in the United States, particularly for poor and minority children. As its president, she shaped major national policies to support education, healthcare, and protection for all children, working closely with lawmakers and presidents. Edelman is renowned not just for her strategic leadership, but for inspiring a generation of young activists and policy makers. Through the CDF, she has worked relentlessly to reduce child poverty and push for improvements in foster care and children’s health insurance. She is also the author of several influential books focused on community empowerment and social justice. Her long-standing efforts have earned her not just the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but dozens of honors, such as the MacArthur Fellowship and election to the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Although not as widely known as some contemporaries, Edelman’s legacy lives on in her tireless fight for equal rights for every child, and her dedication continues to motivate new advocates to carry forward her vision of justice for all.

Conner Chinn: Whitney Young

Born on July 31, 1921, in Lincoln Ridge, Kentucky, Whitney Young was a core member of the American Civil Rights Movement and much more. At 13, he would enroll in the Lincoln Institute, which his father was president of, with the dream of becoming a medical doctor while graduating as the school’s valedictorian. Young then attended Kentucky State, playing on the school’s basketball team, acting as the vice president of a fraternity, and graduating as the president of his class in 1941. At the time, he still aspired to work in the medicinal field, but that would change when he enlisted into the United States Army during World War II. After three weeks of duty, Young would be promoted from private to first sergeant, creating a sense of animosity between his fellow black soldiers and his white higher-ups. This heavily influenced Young, as when he returned, he would become more involved in philanthropy and aiding his fellow African-Americans, earning a master’s in social work in 1947. In 1950, he became president of the National Urban League, which aimed to give equal job opportunities to black people. As president, he transformed the organization into a major civil rights power, advocating for better job training, and fair employment and education. Additionally, he worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr, organizing the March on Washington that took place in 1963. Young also fought against poverty, supporting the domestic “Marshall Plan,” which gave over $145 billion in federal aid to cities over 10 years. His influence was not overlooked, as he served as an advisor to President Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, as well as being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Johnson. On March 11, 1971, Young would tragically drown while swimming in Nigeria, where he was attending a conference with friends. Upon hearing the news, President Nixon traveled to Kentucky, delivering a speech at Young's funeral. Although Whitney Young may not be as appreciated as MLK and Malcom X, he was still an inspiring figure who fought for the rights of every African-American.