February is Black History Month, and as we spend it remembering the history, struggles, and achievements of African Americans in the United States, we also want to amplify the work of Black trailblazers—past and present—in the disability rights community. 
 

Each week we’ll be highlighting a different Black activist whose life and work has expanded equality and access of opportunity for the disabled community. We’ll explore their work and impact, and the different ways they’ve paved the path that today’s activists continue to push forward.  
 
We begin with Johnnie Lacy (1937-2010), a monumental leader and disability rights advocate for independent living. At 19, Lacy contracted Polio, which left her paralyzed and wheelchair bound. She attended college at San Francisco State University, where her activism was sparked by the discrimination she faced as a result of her disability.  

Lacy’s experiences led her to help create the Berkeley Center for Independent Living. For more than a decade, she served as the director of Community Resources of Independent Living in California, where she advocated and fought for the rights, independence, and services for people with disabilities. She was also determined to bring visibility to the intertwining systems of discrimination she faced as both a Black woman and a disabled woman, and helped start and push forward ideas around intersectionality that form the basis of today’s scholarship in that area.  
 
Until the end of her life, Lacy was a trailblazing advocate for disability rights, and we’re proud to honor her accomplishments. Keep an eye on our social media pages throughout the month for more stories of Black trailblazers in the disability rights community.