Lilly Grossman ’19 is ready to make the world a better place for people with disabilities.
After the political science major graduates this Friday, she will be volunteering for Global Genes—the largest rare disease advocacy organization in the world—at their Los Angeles headquarters. There, she’ll share a project she’s been working on comparing the disability services available in California versus those in Texas.
She’s already made a difference on campus for fellow students with disabilities. Grossman, who uses a wheelchair, joined the ASWC student government as a senator and implemented the installation of Med Sleds at the top of staircases, to help people who are physically disabled evacuate during an emergency.
Her advocacy may be recognized later this month: she's been nominated for the Inspiration of the Year Award from Xconomy, a national news and events company.
“My favorite part of my Whittier experience was proving people wrong,” Grossman said. “Most people, when they see me, automatically think I also have an intellectual disability simply because I'm in a wheelchair. Through my involvement with various campus organizations and the fact that I'm graduating with my class, I proved that even though I am physically disabled, I don't let that stop me from accomplishing whatever I want to do.”
In addition, Grossman said, “by being an advocate for others like me, I'm forging a path for them to see that they too can do it, no matter what the rest of the world may believe.”
Her dream job is to become a political journalist for National Public Radio. When she was a sophomore in political science professor Sara Angevine’s class, Grossman learned about a two-week academic seminar hosted by The Washington Center in the nation’s capital.
“Out of all my classmates, I was the only one who went. If I hadn't gotten the opportunity from Whittier and Professor Angevine to learn about and ultimately attend the academic seminar, I probably would not know what my ‘dream job’ would entail,” she said.
The seminar wouldn’t be her only trip to D.C. Grossman was also selected for a prestigious fellowship with the disabilities advocacy group RespectAbility. For an intensive summer, she worked with their communications department to gain on-the-job training on research, interviews, public speaking, blogging, political advocacy, and more.
Grossman picked up a lot of her self-confidence after joining the Athenians as a first-year. Joining the society taught her how to be an advocate for herself with a “strong, successful group of Ladies,” she said. She also joined the cheer team as a senior.
“I absolutely loved cheering on our football and basketball teams alongside such an amazing group of girls,” Grossman said. “It just made my final year at Whittier all that more special.”
