A Fantastic Day of Reflection with Barbara Ransom at TASH’s Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Symposium and Awards Dinner!

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On Thursday, July 25th, TASH hosted our third annual Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Symposium and Awards Dinner. This year’s honoree is Barbara Ransom. It was an enlightening and emotional time to learn from the experts and the experienced, catch up with colleagues and old friends, and to make new connections to foster further progress in the field of disability justice.

The Symposium

The symposium was a time to learn about the causes on which Barbara Ransom has worked so hard. It consisted of three panels:

  1. Moderator Judith Gran and panelists Theresa Perry, Kris Young and Selene Almazan discussing intersectional perspectives on barriers to education.
  2. Moderator Tanesha Williams and panelists Honoree Barbara Ransom, Beverley Cush Evans, Taylar Nuevelle and Marlyn Tillman discussing intersectional perspectives on barriers to criminal justice.
  3. Moderator Ptahra Jeppe and panelists Jennifer Mathis, Mia Ives-Rublee and NaQuran Smithdiscussing intersectional perspectives on barriers to employment and equity.

The three panels were followed by Honoree Barbara Ransom in conversation with Judy Heumann.

Jenny Lengyel introduces Selene Almazan, Theresa Perry, and Kris Young in the first panel of the 2019 Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Syposium. The panelists discussed their intersectional perspectives on barriers that students of color face in special education.
Jenny Lengyel introduces Selene Almazan, Theresa Perry, and Kris Young in the first panel of the 2019 Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Syposium. The panelists discussed their intersectional perspectives on barriers that students of color face in special education.
Photograph of moderator Judith Gran standing at the podium in the background and three panelists appearing closer together than they are owing to the sidelong angle.
Moderator Judith Gran asks panelists Theresa Perry, Kris Young and Selene Almazan discussion questions during the first panel.

A photograph looking down the table of panelists with Barbara Ransom at the end gesturing as she speaks and moderator Tanesha Williams looking on, standing at the podium.
Moderator Tanesha Williams runs the discussion between Honoree Barbara Ransom, Beverley Cush Evans, Taylar Nuevelle, and Marlyn Tillman.

A photograph of Jennifer Mathis holding a microphone and gesturing while Mia Ives-Rublee and NaQuran Smith look on intently.
In the third panel moderator Ptahra Jeppe leads Jennifer Mathis, Mia Ives-Rublee and NaQuran Smith in a discussion of disparities in employment.
A photograph of Barbara Ransom in the foreground smiling slyly while Judy Heumann looks on from the background smiling broadly.
Symposium closing remarks by Honoree Barbara Ransom in conversation with Judy Heumann.

The Reception

The Symposium ended at 5:00, leaving an hour before the start of the Awards Dinner for small group conversations, catching up with friends and colleagues, taking posed photographs at the photo station and grabbing a drink before dinner.

A photograph of three African-American women standing in a semi-circle talking with one another.
Barbara Ransom speaking with panelist Taylar Nuevelle and a guest after the panel discussion.
A photograph of Barbara Ransom and a man with a white stick. Barbara reaches out to put her hand on the man's shoulder as they both smile broadly.
Barbara Ransom greeting one of her guests.
A photograph of Frank Laski and Judy Heumann sitting facing one another making interested and amused faces as they talk.
Frank Laski and Judy Heumann catch up with one another between panel sessions.
Barbara Ransom poses for a photo with Judy Heumann.
Barbara Ransom poses for a photo with Judy Heumann.
Shirley Rodriguez, Barbara Ransom, and Jean Gonsier-Gerdin pose for a photo during the Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Awards Dinner.
Shirley Rodriguez, Barbara Ransom, and Jean Gonsier-Gerdin pose for a photo during the Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Awards Dinner.
Photograph of a large group of people standing close, making animated facial expressions and hand gestures.
The crowd gathers in the ballroom next to the symposium room for a brief reception prior to the awards dinner starting.

The Awards Dinner

After an hour for dinner, the event keynote was Vanita Gupta in conversation with Regina Kline, followed by the presentation of the award to Barbara for her Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law, and some final remarks by Barbara.

Participants gather for the Awards Dinner.
Participants gather for the Awards Dinner.
Vanita Gupta and Regina Kline have a discussion during the keynote on the beneficial aspects of intersectionality. Ms. Gupta specifically noted that, "I see these things [being] not so much about leveraging and really is about understanding that you you can work on almost any issue where people with disabilities in all of our communities, there are people with disabilities affected by every one of those issues we work on whether it's racial justice, or LGBTQ rights, or the like. . . There is work to do in the Disability community about recognizing that intersectionality. It means you have to be a friend to have a friend. You have to have a friend to be a friend. We have to show up for a broad range of issues that we work on."
Vanita Gupta and Regina Kline have a discussion during the keynote on the beneficial aspects of intersectionality. Ms. Gupta specifically noted that, “I see these things [being] not so much about leveraging and really is about
understanding that you you can work on almost any issue where people with disabilities in all of our communities, there are people with disabilities affected by every one of those issues we work on whether it’s racial justice, or LGBTQ rights, or the like. . . There is work to do in the Disability community about recognizing that intersectionality. It means you have to be a friend to have a friend. You have to have a friend to be a friend. We have to show up for a broad range of issues that we work on.”
Vanita Gupta and Regina Kline discuss topics in intersectionality during the keynote presentation of the OLDL Awards Dinner.
Vanita Gupta and Regina Kline discuss topics in intersectionality during the keynote presentation of the OLDL Awards Dinner.
(left to right) Ruby Moore, Barbara Ransom, and Ruthie-Marie Beckwith pose for a photo after Barbara Ransom was presented with her award.
(left to right) Ruby Moore, Barbara Ransom, and Ruthie-Marie Beckwith pose for a photo after Barbara Ransom was presented with her award.
A photograph of a man in a suite handing Barbara Ransom a large bouquet of flowers.
A surprise presentation by one of the people Barbara Ransom helped to achieve an integrated education as a child.
A photograph of Barbara Ransom standing at a large wooden podium.
Barbara Ransom speaks after accepting the award for Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law.