“Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” is the theme for 2026 (from National Women’s History Alliance). 

We are grateful to all women who continue to make our world a better place to live.

This year we especially want to thank the brave women in the disabled community who fought (and continue to fight) for disability rights. Their strength and endurance paved the way for the The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and many other rights we all enjoy today. Among these empowered women are:

• Judy Heumann: Instrumental in the 504 Sit-In and the passage of the ADA and Section 504.
• Alice Wong: Founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which amplifies disabled voices.
• Haben Girma: Human rights lawyer and the first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law.

Here’s a little more about Judy Heumann:

“Judith “Judy” Heumann has been a part of almost every pivotal moment in the disability rights movement. Considered “the mother” of the movement, she was a tireless advocate for the disabled community. Heumann improved accessibility and opportunities for the estimated 56 million people in the United States and one billion people around the world with disabilities.” From Judy Heumann's biography page in the National Women’s History Museum.