5 Fierce Disabled Women of Colour We Love
In 1979, my Uncle Robert introduced me to the most dynamic and beautiful woman my 7-year-old-eyes had ever seen. Her name is Diane and she may never know how, 31 years later, she would be one of the most important resources I had to draw on when I suddenly became disabled.
Diane was a gorgeous chocolate woman who had lusciously lip-glossed lips; her bottom lip stuck out a bit more than the upper. Her hair was up in an elegant swoop on top of her head, which was permanently cocked to one side. She wore wedge sandals that elevated her small curved frame. She had a limp and was almost a half-moon shape that was very much a part of her beauty. Her speech was impeded and her hands shook, but despite it being the 1970s, she worked a full-time job in a bank. Some people said she was lucky to have a man. My Uncle knew that he was the lucky one.
In honour of my beloved Diane, I share with you some other kick-ass, fierce and inspiring disabled women of colour.
Clara Holmes - Model & Public Speaker
Whatever it may be, do it and do it well. Don't try to live up to someone else's imprint.
That thing my Diane had, Clara Holmes is rockin’; she is FIERCE. Clara is a London-based model and public speaker. She has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and is passionate about self-love, body positivity and representation of all bodies in the beauty industry.
On her first-ever Vogue feature in Vogue Portugal, Clara says, “I am so thrilled to have had this opportunity to be part of the feature. We are all unique, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Keah Brown - Author, Journalist, Activist
I promise you, I don't need your cures or poorly thought-out pieces of advice, but I'll take free designer clothes, cheesecake, and a first-class plane ticket.
Keah Brown is the creator of the hashtag #DisabledAndCute. She first resonated with me when I read her essay published in Brene Brown & Tarana Burke’s “You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience”, where she speaks on her experiences living with cerebral palsy
In 2019, Keah released her memoir, The Pretty One, where she shares many aspects of her life, including her relationship with her able-bodied twin and her disappointment with the media’s distorted view of disability.
Tobi Green Adenowo - Dancer, TV Personality, Activist
I always dreamed of being a dancer but with my condition, most people didn’t give me a chance. But it also helped build my character. I refused to believe I couldn’t do something.
Tobi is a dancer from Southwark London. She lives with a condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta type 3 which cause her bones to be brittle and prone to breakage. She has been in the care system since she was 3 months old and has lived in 15 homes. Tobi started dancing in high school at age 13. She was the first wheelchair dancer to change dance exams in the UK so that disabled dance students can be marked fairly.
She has since appeared on Britain’s Got Talent and made several other television appearances as an advocate for disabled representation. She hopes to work towards having a TV Network for disabled actors, producers, singers, dancers and musicians
Maysoon Zayid - Comedian, Actress, Tap Dancer, Activist
Your dream is yours. It may not impress others and they may not believe you can achieve it. None of that matters. It is your dream and no one has the right to wake you up but you.
Maysoon spends three months a year in the Palestinian territories, running an arts program for disabled and orphaned children in refugee camps; the children use art to deal with trauma and bridge the gap between disabled and non-disabled children. Let’s just start with that.
Most recently in June 2021 Maysoon attended a meeting with Secretary of State Blinken to discuss “all things Palestine”.
Maysoon describes herself as a Palestinian Muslim virgin with cerebral palsy, from New Jersey. Her authentic comedy is endearing and, more importantly, funny. She says of her shaking, “I'm like Shakira meets Muhammad Ali.”
Check out her 2014 Ted Talk “I Got 99 Problems... Palsy Is Just One”.
I don’t know where Diane is today. She may never know the impact she had on my life. When I had a stroke and lost my ability to walk at the age of 38 (after having a baby, no less) I found strength and inspiration in having known Diane. I had seen the proof that disability doesn’t mean the end of a joyful and fulfilling life.
Live to the fullest, no matter who you are. You may never know the positive influence you’ve had on someone…
Crossing a 5K finish line in 2014, four years after my stroke, with my son cheering me on.