Over the past 20 years, Shameka Andrews has worked as a disability rights advocate, never letting her circumstance confine her.
“I've been in a wheelchair pretty much all my life. Back in the ‘70s and ‘60s, people born with spinal bifida, prognosis was death," said Andrews.
Her doctors didn’t think she would live past age 5. But today, she’s thriving. Whether it’s women’s, housing or human rights, she helps others find their voice, because she knows what it’s like to be overlooked.
“It was such a struggle. A lot of the things that I had to fight for, for myself. So I wanted to make that pass a little bit easier for those that came after me," said Andrews.
What You Need To Know
- Shameka Andrews is the founder of Disability Empower Consulting and community outreach coordinator for the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State
- Born with spina bifida, Andrews has dedicated her life to advocating for those with disabilities
- She wrote and published a children's book "Butterfly on Wheels" and helped organize the Women of Color Rally in Albany
It was Andrews’ college graduation that propelled her into a career of advocacy.
“The place was not wheelchair accessible. Anyone in a wheelchair that went to that school could not walk across go across the stage. That was kind of like my first advocacy issue that I fought for," said Andrews.
While she empowers others, Andrews says she is inspired by the wave of women who have broken barriers before her, like Claudia Gordon, the country’s first black deaf lawyer; Sen. Tammy Duckworth, the first woman with a disability to be elected to Congress; and Judy Heumann, who was sent home in grade school for being considered a “fire hazard.” Later in life, she became the first teacher in New York to work while using a wheelchair and lobbied for key legislation, including the federal Americans With Disabilities Act.
“It’s important for us to know our voice, to know who we are, and to celebrate that," said Andrews.
Andrews has organized the Women of Color Rally in Albany; advocated for changing the name of the state’s Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to its current name, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities; and pushed for accessible curb cuts on sidewalks.
“This took about three years, but it happened. You can do anything you put your mind to," said Andrews.
Andrews also won the title of Miss Wheelchair New York in 2006. She continues to work as the chapter’s coordinator, helping other women claim their crown.
“You know, makes me kind of like a proud mama … seeing all the girls come up through the program," said Andrews.