Noemi Sohn, a Filipina American feminist with cerebral palsy, works as an activist for racial equality, the end to violence against women and disability rights. She also has a background in film and media, integrating her commitment to social and political change with a creative medium.
Sohn has been involved extensively in educational efforts and community outreach. Her training and facilitation work have included training rape crisis counselors as well as workshops on disability issues and rights, racism, sexism, rape and domestic violence. Her presentations and workshops explore the parallels and intersections of ableism, racism, sexism, classism, and other oppressions in a broad political context. Her unique perspective combines social/political analysis, personal experience, spiritual insight, and wit.
"The myths, fears, prejudices and stereotypes we all have about disability create barriers, ableism and internalized oppression for people with disabilities. These barriers are even greater if the person with a disability also has to deal with one or more other oppressions (i.e. racism, sexism, heterosexism). In drawing the connections between all these oppressions, we can develop a better understanding of our differences and commonalties to aid us in creating a more equitable and compassionate society."
As an active member of the San Francisco Bay Area independent film community, Sohn served on the Board of Corporation on Disabilities and Telecommunication --National, and on the Advisory Board for the "The Living Room Festival" on San Francisco's public television station KQED which highlighted the works of independent film and video artists. She is also a poet and in 2003 published a Chapbook,
Intertwined. She has been involved in film and media advocacy and is currently working on a documentary film on women, race and disability.
