Disabled Women Make History (and Art)

Disabled Women Make History (and Art) is more than an art show—it’s a celebration of disability history, community, and creativity. This event honors the legacy of Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, two disabled women whose advocacy led to Olmstead v. L.C., the landmark Supreme Court decision that affirmed disabled people’s right to live in the community rather than institutions. Lois, a talented artist, expressed herself through vibrant portraits and paintings, using art as a means of storytelling and self-advocacy. Both she and Elaine deeply valued the power of community, fighting not just for their own freedom but for the rights of all disabled people to live and thrive among their peers. Disabled Women Make History (and Art) continues this legacy, uplifting disabled women and feminine-aligned nonbinary artists, fostering community, and celebrating the power of creativity as a force for change.

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Since June 2022, Disability EmpowHer Network in partnership with the Toledo Museum of Art, has presented Disabled Women Make History (and Art), an annual art show featuring the artwork of disabled women. ​In 2023, the event was expanded to include workshops for the artists the day of the art show to provide additional professional development for the artists covering topics such as public speaking and negotiations.