Brody Forum - Empower Ability: Advancing Disability Justice Together with Mia Ives-Rublee

Mia Ives-Rublee, MSW, is a disabled transracial adoptee who has dedicated her life’s work to civil rights activism. She began her journey as an adapted athlete, competing internationally in track, road racing, fencing, and crossfit. She obtained her Master’s in Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill and began working with disabled people to help them find work and independence in their communities at the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. She also worked as a research assistant at UNC Chapel Hill Department of Emergency Medicine.

Mia is best known for founding the Women’s March Disability Caucus and organizing the original Women’s March on Washington in 2017. She has worked with Women's March, Families Belong Together, the March on Climate Change, DC Action Lab, Adoptees for Justice, and numerous other progressive organizations. For her work on the Women’s March on Washington, Mia was named by Glamour Magazine as one of 2017’s Women of the Year Award. She was also recognized by She the People as one of 20 Women of Color in Politics to Watch in 2020 and awarded the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award from UNC School of Social Work. As a public speaker, Mia advocates on the national stage for the rights of disabled people, immigrants, and other marginalized communities.