"Disability Justice taught me that the edges of our movements hold the deepest lessons-and that centering them opens new possibilities for liberation. I was born into great wealth, yet that privilege could not protect my sibling with a disability from the systemic failures that exclude so many. That experience led me to commit my inheritance to investing in social justice movements at large and the infrastructure that the Disability Justice movement needs to thrive."
"I grew up in suburban Kansas City, MO, as a descendant of the family that built Hallmark. I'm not part of the branch that runs the company, but I did inherit part of its wealth. I'm the oldest of three siblings; the youngest, Alex, was born with multiple disabilities. In the 1980s, services were even more limited. My parents wanted the best opportunities for Alex; my mother dedicated her life to advocacy."
Disability Justice teaches that centering the most marginalized within movements reveals deep lessons and expands possibilities for liberation. A person was born into great wealth but witnessed that privilege could not shield a sibling with multiple disabilities from systemic failures and limited services in the 1980s. The mother devoted herself to advocacy and early interventions, offering emotional labor without broader community support. That lived experience motivated a commitment to invest inherited wealth into social justice movements broadly and to build the infrastructure the Disability Justice movement needs to thrive. Parenting and caregiving work highlighted gaps in services, community, and emotional support despite material resources.
Read at Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.
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