Interesting and Fun Facts about Stacey Park Milbern, an American Disability Justice and Civil Rights Activist
Google search engine Commemorates the 35th Birthday of Stacey Park Milbern, an Influential Activist in Disability Justice and Civil Rights, during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on May 19, 2022. Discover Fascinating and Entertaining Details about Stacey Park Milbern.
Personal Information about stacey park milbern
- Birth date: May 19, 1987
- Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
- Died on: May 19, 2020 (aged 33)
- Death place: Stanford, California
- Father name: Joel
- Mother name: Jean (Park) Milbern
- Nationality: American
- Education:
- Methodist University (BA)
- Mills College (MBA)
- Known as: Disability rights activist
Some Interesting Fact about Stacey Park Milbern
- Stacey Park Milbern, a prominent disability rights activist, dedicated her life to championing the rights of people with disabilities. Born on May 19, 1987, in Seoul, South Korea, she faced the challenges of living with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). As a mixed-race individual with a white father and Korean mother, she grew up in a military family in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where her father served in the United States Army.
- During her childhood, Stacey Park Milbern relied on her family for support. However, as she began to embrace her queer identity, she feared judgment from her evangelical Christian parents. This led her to make the difficult decision to move out, further complicated by her daily need for assistance with activities such as eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom.
- Despite these challenges, Stacey Park Milbern never saw her differences and disabilities as limitations. Instead, she viewed them as opportunities to transcend boundaries and rise above societal barriers. In an interview with The Atlantic, she shared her experiences growing up in North Carolina, highlighting the additional hurdles faced by someone who identifies as queer. This fueled her determination to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area, recognizing it as a highly accessible region and a hub for disabilities activism.
- Stacey Park Milbern made significant contributions as a leader and activist throughout her life. At just 16 years old, she emerged as an influential figure within the North Carolina Youth Leadership Network. Her collaboration with other advocates in North Carolina led to the inclusion of disability history in the state’s secondary school curriculum.
- Starting at a young age, Stacey Park Milbern assumed various leadership roles in disability rights. She served as the Community Outreach Director for the National Youth Leadership Network and later co-founded the North Carolina Youth Leadership Forum and Disabled Young People’s Collective. These initiatives aimed to empower youth with disabilities to engage in advocacy and leadership.
- The Governor of North Carolina appointed Stacey Park Milbern to the North Carolina Commission for the Blind from 2006 to 2008 and the Statewide Independent Living Council from 2004 to 2010. Her involvement played a pivotal role in the enactment of a 2007 state law designating October as “Disability History and Awareness Month” and mandating the inclusion of disability history in school curricula.
- In 2005, Stacey Park Milbern played a key role in establishing the disability justice movement by collaborating with other disabled queer women of color activists.
- After relocating to the Bay Area, specifically Oakland, California, Stacey Park Milbern continued to make a lasting impact. She joined the program management team at the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley, advocating for full social and political equality for people with disabilities.
- In addition to her community projects, Stacey Park Milbern worked as an Accommodations Management Consultant at Wells Fargo. She tirelessly fought for fair healthcare for individuals with disabilities, addressing issues of access and biases within the system. She spoke out against unnecessary surgeries and dedicated herself to the disabilities justice movement, aiming to amplify diverse voices from different races, genders, and sexual orientations in disability discussions.
- Stacey Park Milbern was recognized as an influential figure, being appointed by President Obama to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities in 2014. She advised the Obama administration for two years, contributing her expertise to disability rights initiatives.
- Furthermore, she co-authored Bernie Sanders’ Disability Rights platform and served as an Impact Producer for the acclaimed documentary “Crip Camp” on NETFLIX.
- Stacey Park Milbern earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Mills College in 2015. Her determination to protect healthcare for individuals with disabilities was evident when she spoke out against proposed cuts to funding for attendant support under the Affordable Care Act.
- Stacey Park Milbern’s advocacy extended beyond policy matters. She actively engaged in grassroots efforts to support people with disabilities affected by the power outages during the 2019 California wildfires. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she collaborated with the Disability Justice Culture Club to provide disease-prevention kits to homeless individuals and organized mutual aid for disabled people in need.
- Despite facing health challenges, Stacey Park Milbern continued her work until her untimely passing on her 33rd birthday, May 19, 2020, due to surgical complications related to kidney cancer.
- Throughout her life, Stacey Park Milbern’s writings, poetry, speeches, and community organizing inspired and propelled the Disability Justice and Disability Rights movements forward. She founded the Disability Justice Culture Club, focusing on the needs of disabled BIPOC individuals, and created a space for community, events, and thought leadership.
- Stacey Park Milbern’s legacy continues to be celebrated and honored, as demonstrated by a Google Doodle on May 19, 2022, which marked what would have been her 35th birthday during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Her passion, love, and unwavering commitment to the communities she served will forever be remembered.
Stacey Park Milbern Google Doodle
Google dedicates its Doodle to honor the remarkable legacy of Stacey Park Milbern, a passionate advocate for the disability justice movement. This tribute aligns with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the invaluable contributions of Asian and Pacific Islanders to American history. Stacey Park Milbern exemplifies the profound impact that an individual can have on society.
In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Google presents a vibrant and captivating Doodle created by Art Twink. The artwork showcases a bold color palette inspired by Stacey Park Milbern’s life and activism, reflecting her unwavering dedication to advancing the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
This tribute holds even more significance as it coincides with Worldwide Accessibility Awareness Day, emphasizing the importance of digital accessibility and promoting the full participation of people with disabilities.
Stacey Park Milbern’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of advocacy and the lasting impact that one person can make. Her unwavering commitment to justice and equality continues to inspire and uplift communities worldwide.
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