Blind women have made amazing contributions throughout history. They’ve shown incredible strength and achieved great things despite facing big challenges. Their stories can inspire us all.
Some famous blind women changed the world with their ideas and actions. Helen Keller was both blind and deaf but became a well-known author and activist.
She fought for the rights of people with disabilities and spoke out about important issues.
Other blind women have also done great things. Marla Runyan competed in the Olympics even though she was legally blind. And Elizabeth Aston worked hard to help blind people get more rights.
These women show us that being blind doesn’t have to stop someone from doing amazing things.
Trischa Zorn Hudson
Trischa Zorn Hudson is an amazing athlete who has made history. She is the most decorated Paralympic athlete ever, with a stunning 55 medals to her name.
Born blind, Zorn Hudson didn’t let her disability stop her from achieving greatness in swimming. She competed in seven Paralympic Games from 1980 to 2004.
Her medal count is truly impressive:
- 41 gold medals
- 9 silver medals
- 5 bronze medals
At the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, Zorn Hudson had an incredible performance. She won 10 gold medals in 10 events and set 10 world records!
Beyond her athletic achievements, Zorn Hudson has made a difference in other ways. She became a teacher, working with disabled students in an inner-city school in Indianapolis.
Zorn Hudson inspires her students by showing them what’s possible. Her story proves that with hard work and determination, people can overcome big challenges.
In 2017, Zorn Hudson was inducted into the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes her amazing career and the impact she’s had on Paralympic sports.
Shelley Davis
Shelley Davis is a prominent figure in the world of philanthropy and social impact. She currently serves as the President and CEO of the Coleman Foundation. Her work focuses on improving communities and creating positive change.
Davis has a strong background in strategic planning. She led a team that developed a plan to give $10 million annually to various causes. This shows her commitment to making a big difference in people’s lives.
Her civic engagement is impressive. She holds several important roles:
- Board chair of the Albert Pick Jr. Fund
- Trustee for Lawrence University
- Former Illinois Commissioner of Juvenile Justice (for a decade)
These positions highlight Davis’s dedication to helping others and improving society. She brings her expertise to many different areas.
At the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, Davis shares her knowledge with students. Her experience in philanthropy and social impact is valuable for those looking to make a difference in the world.
While not blind herself, Davis’s work often touches on issues of accessibility and equal opportunities. Her efforts align with the spirit of advocacy shown by famous blind women throughout history.
Lisa Czechowski
Lisa Czechowski is a remarkable athlete in the world of goalball. Born with nystagmus, she was later diagnosed with cone/rod dystrophy in middle school. These vision issues didn’t stop her from becoming a top player.
Czechowski has competed in six Paralympic Games. She’s won multiple medals, including gold, silver, and bronze. Her skill and dedication have made her a key player on the U.S. Women’s Goalball team.
Off the court, Lisa is married to Jake Czechowski, who coaches the U.S. Women’s Goalball team. They have a son named Jay. This family connection to the sport adds an extra layer to her inspiring story.
Lisa’s journey in sports began early. She was born with visual impairment but didn’t let it hold her back. Her success shows how determination can overcome challenges.
Czechowski’s impact goes beyond playing. She helps inspire other visually impaired individuals to try sports. Her long career proves that visual impairment doesn’t have to limit athletic dreams.
Diane Schuur
Diane Schuur is a Grammy Award-winning jazz singer and pianist born on December 10, 1953. She’s been blind since birth due to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity.
Nicknamed “Deedles,” Schuur started playing piano at just 4 years old. Her love for jazz came from her parents’ record collection, which included greats like Duke Ellington and Dinah Washington.
Schuur’s talent is truly impressive. She has perfect pitch and an amazing memory, which have helped her excel in her music career.
Her musical style is diverse. While rooted in jazz, Schuur’s repertoire includes elements of:
- Latin
- Gospel
- Pop
- Country
As of 2015, Schuur had released 23 albums, showcasing her versatility and skill as a musician.
Schuur’s success is inspiring. She’s proof that visual impairment doesn’t have to limit one’s dreams. Her incredible performances have earned her multiple Grammy awards and a place among the most respected jazz artists.
Kristen Eyring Cox
Kristen Eyring Cox is a remarkable blind woman who has made significant strides in business and public service. Born in Bellevue, Washington, she began losing her eyesight at age 11 due to a genetic condition.
Despite this challenge, Cox pursued her education with determination. She attended Brigham Young University and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1995.
Cox’s career has been impressive:
- Executive Director of Utah’s Department of Workforce Services
- Secretary of Maryland’s Department of Disabilities (first cabinet-level position of its kind in the U.S.)
- Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration
Her achievements have not gone unnoticed. Cox has received several awards:
- Utah Business Magazine’s “30 Women to Watch” (2012)
- Utah Community Foundation’s “Enlightened 50” (2016)
- Days of 47’s Pioneers of Progress Award for Business
Cox is also an author. She has written two books, with proceeds benefiting the National Federation of the Blind.
In 2006, Cox ran for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, showcasing how public perceptions of blind individuals have evolved. Her campaign highlighted her abilities rather than her visual impairment.
Helen Keller
Helen Keller was a remarkable woman who overcame incredible challenges. Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama in 1880, she lost her sight and hearing at just 19 months old due to an illness.
At age 7, Helen’s life changed forever when Anne Sullivan became her teacher. Anne used finger spelling to teach Helen words and concepts. This sparked Helen’s love for learning.
Helen went on to attend The Cambridge School for Young Ladies and later Radcliffe College. She became the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Helen’s accomplishments didn’t stop there. She became a:
• Writer • Public speaker • Disability rights advocate • Co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union
Her book, “The Story of My Life,” shared her experiences with the world. It inspired many and showed what people with disabilities could achieve.
Helen worked for the American Foundation for the Blind for over 40 years. She traveled to more than 35 countries, advocating for those with vision loss.
Her life story became famous through the play and movie “The Miracle Worker.” It showed her early years and relationship with Anne Sullivan.
Helen Keller proved that with determination and support, anyone can overcome great obstacles. She remains an inspiration to people around the world.
Marla Runyan
Marla Runyan is a remarkable athlete who broke barriers in the world of sports. Born in 1969, she became legally blind due to Stargardt’s disease as a child. But this didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams.
Runyan excelled in track and field. She competed in both the Paralympics and Olympics, a rare feat for any athlete. In 2000, she became the first legally blind athlete to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team.
Her achievements include:
- Three-time national champion in the women’s 5000 meters
- Gold medalist in the 1992 and 1996 Paralympics
- 8th place finish in the 1500 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
Runyan didn’t just shine on the track. She also conquered the marathon, finishing as the top American woman in the 2002 New York City Marathon.
After retiring from competitive running, Runyan continued to inspire. She worked as a teacher and coach, helping other visually impaired athletes reach their potential.
Runyan’s story shows that with determination, any obstacle can be overcome. She proved that disability doesn’t define a person’s abilities or limit their dreams.
Fanny Crosby
Fanny Crosby was a remarkable blind woman who made a huge impact through her music and writing. Born in 1820, she lost her sight as a baby but never let it hold her back.
Crosby became an amazing musician and poet. She wrote over 8,000 hymns and gospel songs in her lifetime. People still sing many of her songs today.
She got a great education at the New York Institution for the Blind. There, she learned to play piano, guitar, and other instruments. Crosby also became a teacher at the school after she graduated.
Fanny cared deeply about helping others. She worked with missions in New York City to support people in need. Her faith was very important to her and inspired much of her writing.
Some of Crosby’s most famous hymns include:
- “Blessed Assurance”
- “To God Be the Glory”
- “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”
Fanny Crosby lived a long and full life. She passed away in 1915 at age 94, leaving behind a powerful legacy of music that continues to touch hearts today.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was a remarkable woman who overcame great challenges. Born into slavery around 1822, she faced many hardships from a young age.
As a child, Tubman suffered a severe head injury that caused lifelong health issues, including seizures and visual impairment. Despite this, she went on to become a hero of the Underground Railroad.
Tubman escaped slavery in 1849 and became a conductor on the Underground Railroad. She bravely led many enslaved people to freedom in the North.
During the Civil War, Tubman served the Union army as a scout, nurse, cook, and spy. Her work was vital to the Union’s efforts.
After the war, Tubman continued to fight for equality. She advocated for women’s suffrage and helped former slaves.
Tubman’s legacy lives on today. She is remembered as a courageous leader who fought tirelessly for freedom and justice.
Anne Sullivan
Anne Sullivan was a remarkable teacher and lifelong companion of Helen Keller. Born in 1866, Sullivan faced many challenges early in life, including partial blindness due to an eye disease called trachoma.
Despite her visual impairment, Sullivan persevered and received her education at the Perkins School for the Blind. This experience shaped her future as an educator for the visually impaired.
In 1887, Sullivan began working with Helen Keller, a young girl who was deaf and blind. Using innovative teaching methods, she helped Keller learn to communicate and read Braille.
Their relationship became the subject of the famous play and movie “The Miracle Worker”. This dramatization brought widespread attention to Sullivan’s groundbreaking work in education.
Sullivan’s dedication to Keller extended beyond childhood. She supported Keller through her studies at Radcliffe College and accompanied her on lecture tours.
Together, Sullivan and Keller wrote “The Story of My Life”, which detailed their experiences and educational journey. This book helped inspire many others facing similar challenges.
Anne Sullivan’s legacy continues to influence special education today. Her innovative techniques and unwavering commitment to her students set a new standard for teaching those with disabilities.
