5 Inspiring Women in History who were Blind and Visually Impaired
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Blue background with white text “Inspiring Blind & Visually Impaired Women You Should know by World Services for the blind” with images of historical photographs of five women
Women in History: 5 Inspiring Women who were Blind & Visually Impaired
In honor of Women’s history month, we are sharing some amazing women in history who also happen to be blind and visually impaired! From disability advocates to athletes, we cover a wide range of women who have changed history for the better, and also happen to be blind or visually impaired!
1. Helen Keller
Most people think of Helen Keller when they think of amazing women who are blind. After all, Helen Keller is known as one of the most influential deaf-blind disability advocates. With the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, Keller was able to communicate effectively and graduate college in 1904. Keller was an amazing author, writing 14 books. This included the autobiography of her life, which was later turned into a play. Keller worked her adult life as an advocate for those with disabilities, advocating for education, voting rights, and more.
2. Laura Bridgman
Laura Bridgerman is considered the first deaf-blind woman to gain an education in English, even before Helen Keller! She went to school at the Perkins School for the Blind, learning braille, math, writing, philosophy, and more. She even was written about by Charles Dickens!
3. Harriet Tubman
Everyone has heard of Harriet Tubman and her amazing work to free over 300 slaves. But did you know she was also visually impaired? Tubman suffered a severe wound to her head, inflicted by a slave owner, leaving her visually impaired and with seizures. Despite these challenges, Tubman led the Underground Railroad and helped over 300 slaves to freedom!
4. Tilly Aston
Tilly Aston is an international leader in blindness education and disability advocacy. Aston was the first blind teacher in Australia, focusing on braille. She created the Victorian Braille Library. In 1913 she became the first head of school for the Victoria School for the Blind. Aston was a huge advocate for the blind, including advocacy for the right to vote, free public transportation for the blind, and government pensions for the legally blind.
5. Marla Runyan
A more contemporary woman in history, but one we had to feature! Runyan is a legally blind track and field, road runner, and marathon athlete. Runyan has won numerous medals in her track and field endeavors from multiple gold metals in the Paralympics to finishing as the top American in the New York City Marathon in 2002. Runyan is the only visually impaired athlete to compete in the Paralympics and the Olympics.