Haben Girma

Haben Girma is a human rights lawyer advancing disability justice and is the first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School. Named by President Obama named as a White House Champion of Change, Haben advocates for people with different abilities, emphasizing that as the largest historically underrepresented group totalling one billion people worldwide, this is a group that shouldn’t be isolated or underestimated. Haben believes disability is an opportunity for innovation, and she teaches organizations the importance of choosing inclusion and how valuable it is for all when people with disabilities are included and factored into decision-making.

In her memoir, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law, Haben shares stories form her childhood and young adulthood, giving insight into her experience but also demonstrating how and why the determination to live fully while advocating for others has been a constant. She received the Helen Keller Achievement Award, a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and TIME100 Talks. Recognized for her consulting and public speaking work on accessibility, diversity, and leadership, Haben has been honored by President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Chancellor Angela Merkel, inspires others to engace in intentional decision making; inclusivity is a choice, and when our world and organizations are more inclusive, everybody is positively impacted.