Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law
Haben Girma | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Disability rights advocate, attorney, author |
| Known for | First deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School; disability rights advocacy |
Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Triumphed at Harvard Law is a memoir authored by Haben Girma, a prominent advocate for disability rights and the first individual who is deafblind to graduate from Harvard Law School.
Synopsis
The book Haben details Girma's path beginning with her upbringing in Oakland, California and continuing through her initial steps as a lawyer focused on disability rights. Although born with progressive deafblindness, she retained some hearing and vision during her early years.
Girma was enrolled in inclusive educational settings and participated in camps designed for blind youth, while spending summers with her family of Eritrean heritage. She encountered challenges due to limited awareness from educators and parental worries about her autonomy during travels to Mali and her time at Lewis & Clark College. Facing obstacles in securing employment, she decided to pursue a legal education to enhance her career opportunities.
During her tenure at Harvard Law School, Girma required specific accommodations; given her minimal proficiency in ASL and absence of residual hearing, she developed an innovative communication method using a wireless keyboard connected to a computer equipped with a refreshable braille display, enabling real-time interaction.
Following graduation, she practiced as a disability rights attorney and successfully argued a case that expanded the protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Reception
Haben was met with favorable critiques from publications such as Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and BookPage. The New York Times recognized it as a "New & Noteworthy" release.
O referred to Girma as "a millennial Helen Keller" while endorsing the memoir. Media coverage also emphasized Girma’s rejection of being described as "inspiring," interpreting such labels as veiled expressions of pity or others’ relief at not facing similar disabilities.