Haben Girma

Haben Girma is a renowned Eritrean-American disability rights advocate, public speaker, and author who has worked with various organizations, including the United Nations, World Bank, and Harvard University. Born on July 29, 1988, in Oakland, California, Girma has been recognized for her efforts to promote inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities by organizations such as the National Federation of the Blind and the American Bar Association. Girma's work has also been influenced by her experiences at Harvard Law School and her interactions with notable figures like Malala Yousafzai and Michelle Obama. Her advocacy has taken her to various countries, including Ethiopia, South Africa, and India, where she has worked with organizations like the African Union and the International Labor Organization.

● Early Life and Education

Girma was born to Eritrean refugees who fled their home country due to the Eritrean War of Independence. She grew up in California and developed a strong interest in social justice and human rights, inspired by figures like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr.. Girma attended Harvard University, where she earned a degree in sociology and psychology, and later graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor degree, becoming the first deafblind person to graduate from the institution. During her time at Harvard University, Girma was involved with various organizations, including the Harvard Law Review and the National Association of the Deaf.

● Career

Girma's career has been marked by her work as a disability rights advocate, with a focus on promoting inclusion and accessibility in various sectors, including education, employment, and technology. She has worked with organizations like the World Institute on Disability and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, and has collaborated with notable figures like Stevie Wonder and Richard Branson. Girma has also been involved in various initiatives, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and has worked with governments, including the United States Department of State and the European Union.

● Advocacy and Public Speaking

As a prominent public speaker, Girma has given talks at various events, including the TED Conference and the World Economic Forum, and has spoken at institutions like Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her advocacy work has focused on promoting accessibility and inclusion in various areas, including technology, education, and employment, and she has worked with organizations like the National Organization on Disability and the Disability Rights Fund. Girma has also been involved in initiatives like the Global Disability Summit and the International Disability Alliance, and has collaborated with notable figures like Justin Trudeau and Angela Merkel.

● Awards and Recognition

Girma has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship and the Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards. She has also been recognized by organizations like the National Association of the Deaf and the American Foundation for the Blind, and has been named one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 and a White House Champion of Change. Girma's work has also been recognized by institutions like Harvard University and Yale University, and she has received awards like the Harvard Law School Alumni Award and the Yale University School of Law Award.

● Personal Life

Girma is a deafblind individual who uses assistive technology to communicate and navigate the world. She is an avid traveler and has visited various countries, including China, Japan, and Brazil, and has worked with organizations like the United States Agency for International Development and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Girma is also a passionate advocate for disability rights and social justice, and has been involved in various initiatives, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the Women's March.

● Publications

Girma has written articles and essays for various publications, including The New York Times and The Huffington Post, and has been featured in media outlets like CNN and NPR. Her work has also been published in academic journals like the Harvard Law Review and the Yale Law Journal, and she has contributed to books like The Disability Rights Movement and The Oxford Handbook of Disability Law. Girma's writing has focused on topics like disability rights, inclusion, and accessibility, and she has collaborated with notable authors like Cornel West and Angela Davis.