January 17, 2025 • 31 mins
Nimene learns the inspiring story of Judy Heumann, who fought for the rights of disabled people, and enlists Broadway actor Jenna Bainbridge for a fierce hip-hop track to honor Judy’s legacy. Featuring an interview between Tony Award-winning actor Ali Stroker and a 14 year old named Elizabeth.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hey listeners, Niminy here, host of historical records.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Get ready to hear about a historical hero through hip hop.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Also, parents and teachers, You can download a free activity
related to today's episode by visiting story pirates dot com
slash Historical Records, and now onto the show. After a
few words for the grownups, Hey listeners, it's Niminy.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Welcome back to Historical Records.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
We're doing things a little different on the show today
because I am at the gardening store and whoops, I
dropped my trowel anyway as I was saying, I'm throwing
a garden party tonight's and I.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Need a few last minute supplies.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
For example, these seeds, these pruning snips ooh, and this
huge claypot.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Oh, dear, cleanup on Aisle five, Herb, please report to
the betch to my bad.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
I'll just grab another large clay pot.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Herb clean up on Aisle five stats.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
I'll just grab another one, Herb co red.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Someone is breaking all the pots in Aisle five.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
What I don't even reads for one? What is happening?
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Herb?
Speaker 5 (01:20):
Where are you? This is officially a clean up emergency.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Ole fine, where am I?
Speaker 6 (01:32):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Calm down? Niminy.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
You're back at the bunker in your bed. There's no herb,
there's no Aisle five. It was all a dream man.
I guess I'm a little, how you say, stressed about
this garden party.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
I'm gonna throw later.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
But you know it's great for stress gardening listeners, let's
go check on those plantstick a store of over record calls.
Speaker 6 (02:01):
You are now listening to historical work.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
To make history, you got to have struggles to make history.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
You got to show toys.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Cannot be quiet, loud as a riot to make history,
you gotta make some noise. Hello, lovely listeners, Welcome back
to Historical Records, the show where I dig into historical
records in order to produce historically themed records. And by records,
I mean songs, which is actually a bit of a
(02:31):
history lesson in itself. Did you know songs and albums
used to be called records?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
It's true, And if you have an adult.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
In your life who still listens to records, be warned
that if you ask their opinion about music, they're gonna
talk a lot. Now follow me, listeners, We're headed to
a part of the bunker you've never been to. Oh hot, Tina,
where my headed. I'm on my way to the greenhouse
to check on my plants for the garden party later.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Where are you going? Oh, that's right. You're nocturnal, so
you're going to bed. And that's also.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Probably why you're in a dressing gown and a bonnet.
And here I thought you were making a bold fashioned choice.
Sleep tight, Tina.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I hope you don't have any stress dreams about herb
Never mind, I'll see you later anyway, listeners.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Today's episode of Historical Records is all about Shouty Human,
who is known as the mother of the disability rights movement.
But before we learn more about her, I need to
check up on my plants. I started a bunch of
seeds a few weeks ago, and today's the first day
I've been able to check up on them. Oh no,
(03:44):
all the plants are dead or dying.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
What have I done?
Speaker 6 (03:48):
Hey, Niminy, I'm here for the garden party.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Me what are you doing here? The party is not
for another twelve hours.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Ah, well, the invite didn't say whether it was five
am or five pm. I thought it was a little
weird that a party would start at five am. But
you're a little weird, Niminy, like in a good way.
So I just went with it.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
I won't argue with you on that. But I don't
know if there's gonna be a party at all.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Now, just look at this garden. It's not all bad.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
The leaves on this shrub here are really beautiful, bright yellow.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
They're supposed to be green.
Speaker 6 (04:24):
Ooh, yikes. What were the conditions like in here?
Speaker 1 (04:27):
You know me, I love my gadgets, so I set
my UV light timers to sixteen hours a day, programmed
plant food to scatter every other day, and set the
sprinklers to go off every five minutes at random intervals
to mimic rain and nature. Oh and of course I
programmed gentle thunderstorm noises to play whenever that happens.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Oops, they're going off now. Hope you brought your umbrella.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Who would go to a garden party without an umbrella?
Speaker 6 (04:54):
Niminy. I understand why you programmed.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
This room the way you did, but it looks like
you have a a lot of different plants in here.
Individual plants need specific conditions to thrive. You can't expect
a bonzie tree and a cactus to grow strong.
Speaker 6 (05:09):
In the same kind of environment.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Wow, I guess not. I was just excited to have
a garden party. I'm a tiny sandwich.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
Is in everything, totally understandable, And actually it makes me
think about this week's episode about Judy Human.
Speaker 6 (05:24):
Really why I'll show you here?
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Oh, Lee, I think the party's off.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
You can put away that bird shaped whistle you brought
as a party favor.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Actually, this bird whistle is this week's history simulator.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Oh you know, I love a name. Let's go.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Just as a heads up, this whistle attracts actual birds,
so you might see some after I blow on it.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
That's great. I love birds me too.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
But just a reminder, there are over eleven thousand species
of birds, and I can't control which ones show up.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
In that case, maybe we should pause because I really
don't like.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
See sign them.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Why I don't know, Well, come on, let's fly.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Whoa Where did we travel to, Lee? I assumed somewhere
near an oce.
Speaker 6 (06:19):
No, we're on the south lawn of the White House.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
What then, why the seagulls? The birds have their.
Speaker 6 (06:26):
Own reasoning, Nimini, best not to question it. But you
should look over.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
There at that platform where a bunch of people are
standing in front of a crowd.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Wait a minute, is that President George HW. Bush?
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Yup and see that woman over there wearing glasses in
the wheelchair.
Speaker 6 (06:43):
That's Judy Human.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Does Judy Human work at the White House?
Speaker 6 (06:48):
Not yet.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Eventually she does end up working with President Clinton's administration,
but that's still a few years away. Today, she's here
because President Bush is signing the nineteen ninety Americans with
Disabilities Act, so known as the ADA.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
And what did the ADA do.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
It's a civil rights law that says it's illegal to
discriminate against people who have disabilities. The world looked very
different before the ADA.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
In what way?
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Well take Judy for example. When she was a kid,
she had a disease called polio that forced her to
use a wheelchair to get around. But many buildings were
built in a way that made it impossible for wheelchairs
to get inside and move around.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
That's not fair.
Speaker 6 (07:28):
It wasn't.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
But when the ADA became the law of the land.
See that wheelchair ramp over there leading up to the
stage where Bush is speaking. That is one small way
the ADA helped to make spaces accessible for everyone. Wow,
And look do you see how there's an ASL interpreter
translating everything that's being said into sign language.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Yes, I love watching interpreters, especially at concerts.
Speaker 6 (07:51):
That's part of the ADA too.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Judy was part of a movement that wanted to change
the world, to give everyone more access and the right
kind of environment to feel like they belong.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Seems like everyone here is happy about the ADA getting passed.
But is it just me or does Judy seem a
little unsatisfied?
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Spot on Nimoni. Judy showed up to support this act
being signed because it was a step in the right direction,
But she had openly spoken out saying she didn't think
the ADA went nearly far enough.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
She said that to the President.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
While she said it to the media, so President Bush
knew she was less than thrilled about it.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Oh, I really admire her honesty. Me too.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
It can be really intimidating to speak up for yourself. Now,
let me take you further back to another time when
Judy spoke up. Just prepare yourself, because you know the
bird thing.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
We can do this, Lee, give us a whistle. Oh,
thank goodness, it's.
Speaker 6 (08:53):
A flock of meadow larks. Gorgeous here we are. What
a beautiful way to travel.
Speaker 7 (09:02):
Hey, lady are you gonna stand in the middle of
this sidewalk all day?
Speaker 2 (09:05):
I'm walking here. If it's a break, we're lurking here?
All right?
Speaker 3 (09:11):
All right, everyone's a character in New York City, Lee,
Look over, there is.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
That kid, an old timy Newsy in a cap selling papers.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
It sure is extra extra Read all about it. Woman
in wheelchairs us to become teacher? Whoa he must be
talking about? Judy Human extra extra Read all about it.
Judy Human wins case against school board again teacher's license.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
Oh wait?
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Newsies were a fixture of life in the eighteen hundreds.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
How far back do we go?
Speaker 4 (09:40):
Lee, the nineteen seventies Are the newsies historically accurate? You
let me worry about that memony. Listen to what the
newsies are saying about.
Speaker 8 (09:48):
Judy extra Exjack read all about it. In a twist
of fate, Judy Human wins discrimination lawsuit against the school
board that bart from attending school as a child.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Okay, wild what are they talking about?
Speaker 4 (10:03):
When she was entering elementary school in nineteen fifty two,
a school board in Judy's neighborhood didn't let her attend
school because they said her wheelchair was a fire hazard.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
That seems outrageous even for the nineteen fifties. But what
does that have to do with these headlines about her
getting a teacher's license.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Years later, after Judy had earned her teaching license, that
same school board said she couldn't be a teacher in
their school because she failed the medical exam because she
couldn't walk.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
That's really unfair. She was obviously able to be a teacher.
She was just going to need to get around the
school in her own way.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
In schools today.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
There are not only ramps in elevators so that everyone
is able to get around. There's even braille on all
the signs on the walls to help those that are
vision impaired.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Exactly, and all that progress is the result of Judy
and her colleagues demanding that buildings be more accessible. Because
the world is largely designed able people in mind, you
have to use your imagination in a new way to
rethink places and make them for everyone.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
If only the school board could have realized that back
in nineteen fifty.
Speaker 4 (11:11):
Two Extra Extra Exclusive interview with Judy Human, page four.
Speaker 6 (11:15):
Oh we should read that. Excuse me, hi, I'd like
to buy a paper. Please show a thing that'll be
three fifty three fifty. That is expensive for the seventies.
Oh well, here you go, Neosy.
Speaker 7 (11:28):
Thanks extra extra podcast a story and swindled by anachronistic noozy.
Speaker 6 (11:32):
Read all about it, you little rascal.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Wait Lee, why would we just read about it when
we could go see Judy get interviewed.
Speaker 6 (11:42):
Oh yeah, maybe I could return this paper to that
sales final.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Oh New York, let's get to that interview.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
That's suburb.
Speaker 6 (11:53):
Well, yeah, it's called a jack snipe.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
I might need to sample it for a beat that
it is awesome. Now that's the only way to time travel.
Speaker 6 (12:04):
Judy humans about to give her statement. Sorry, okay, so niminy.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
Here we are at the Overseas Press Club at Judy's
news conference, and there she is.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Judy, how do you feel now that you've won the case?
Speaker 9 (12:18):
I feel qualified to teach now and I don't want
to wait.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
I bet Judy was an amazing teacher.
Speaker 6 (12:24):
She didn't end up teaching that much after the lawsuit.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
What that makes me sad to hear?
Speaker 6 (12:30):
It's actually pretty inspiring.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
Judy realized that her work needed to be outside of
the classroom after.
Speaker 6 (12:36):
This whole experience.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
What did she end up doing.
Speaker 6 (12:39):
I'll show you.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
What am I supposed to go with this?
Speaker 4 (12:45):
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin wanted the National bird
to be the Turkey?
Speaker 2 (12:50):
And ab knows that late?
Speaker 6 (12:54):
Where are we try to keep your voice down.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
It's pretty late at night or early in the morning,
depending on how you look at it.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
We're in some kind of office building full of people
having a sleepover.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
It's less of a sleep over and more of a
sit in.
Speaker 7 (13:10):
Hm.
Speaker 6 (13:11):
Hm, that makes sense.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
People are definitely sitting, mostly at empty desks. And look,
there's a few people over there on the floor in
sleeping bags playing a game. And based on the various
haircuts I'm guessing we're in the seventies again, Correct.
Speaker 6 (13:25):
We're in nineteen seventy seven.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
I thought sit ins were like protests, like the ones
from the Civil rights movement.
Speaker 6 (13:31):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
All of these folks are part of da Disability in Action,
an organization that Judy helped create that brings people together
to fight for the inclusion of disabled people.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
Are they all protesting about another teacher license getting denied?
Speaker 6 (13:46):
No, this is a much bigger moment.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
This is one of many sit ins staged across the
country by DIA and other groups demanding that the government
take action on section five oh four of the Rehabilitation
Act of nineteen six seventy three.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Nineteen seventy three. But didn't you just say it's nineteen
seventy seven.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Yes, So in nineteen seventy three, after other protests led
by Judy in her community, President Nixon finally signed papers
that basically said no disabled person should be excluded from
any program, service, or similar which receives federal funds.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
That's great, it is great.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
But before section five oh four could be put into law,
the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare had to
come up with this sort of checklist to help determine
who is disabled.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
So all these activists had already helped bring about a
new law, but one department delayed those laws being put
into action for four years.
Speaker 6 (14:43):
Pretty much, no wonder Judy got so feisty.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Okay, everybody, I don't want to wake you if you're resting,
but you know.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
What time it is.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
I'm not exactly sure what's happening. Now.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
They're taking down that big sign that says twenty one
and replacing it with it's another sign that says twenty two.
Speaker 6 (15:02):
Fellow protesters.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
If you can, we'd love for you to stay just
one more night.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Oh, I see all these people have been here protesting
for twenty two days and twenty two nights.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
That's such a long time.
Speaker 6 (15:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
And some of the people here needed specific medical supplies
to get through even a regular day, so other people
from the community brought them stuff to help them keep going.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
How did they know what to bring them?
Speaker 1 (15:28):
I mean, it's nineteen seventy seven. There are no cell phones,
and I don't think they'd just let the protesters use
the phones in here, yo.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
They didn't.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
In fact, the FBI cut the phone lines in here
to try and get the protesters to leave, but they
found a way.
Speaker 6 (15:44):
Look over there, that woman.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Is using sign language to communicate with somebody on the
other side.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Of that window.
Speaker 6 (15:51):
Isn't that amazing?
Speaker 4 (15:53):
The FBI couldn't stop asl Still, it.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Sounds like hard work. How much longer does the protest go?
Speaker 6 (16:00):
They'll be here for a few more days, twenty four altogether.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
I know this is a protest and everyone here is
rightfully angry and felt called to action, but it.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
Also feels good in here.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Is that weird to say?
Speaker 6 (16:14):
I don't think so?
Speaker 4 (16:15):
And Actually, that makes me think of one other thing
I want to show you. I really hope I don't
wake anybody up with this history simulator.
Speaker 6 (16:21):
But here we go. Owls.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
What a perfect bird to take us to our next stuff.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
You're right, Lee, those owls were on thepe I'm seeing
a bonfire with people gathered around it. I hear frogs
and crickets. There are mosquitoes.
Speaker 6 (16:46):
Oh no, I do not do well with mosquitoes.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Then we better be quick.
Speaker 6 (16:50):
What's the scoop on this gathering.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
We're at a place called Camp jen Ed. It's a
summer camp Judy went to and she was a teenager.
Speaker 6 (16:58):
Look, she's right over there sitting.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
You're the fire.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Where Sorry, it's hard to tell from this far back,
and there's more than one person in a wheelchair over there.
Speaker 6 (17:07):
She's the one who just made everyone laugh. Gotcha.
Speaker 4 (17:10):
I wanted to bring you here because Judy talks about
Camp Jened a lot.
Speaker 6 (17:14):
It was a camp for young people with disabilities.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
It's here that Judy said she realized that a lot
of the limited way people view folks with disabilities comes
from fear.
Speaker 6 (17:24):
It sparked something in her to want to change that.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Maybe this is where her flame first got it spark.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
Hard to say, but it gave Judy and many other
campers an idea of how great things could be if
everyone is given a chance to thrive.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
Other campers from jened went on to be disability rights
activists too.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
Okay, they're really getting into that song.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Oh, which reminds me we better get back to the
studio to create some music of our own. Also, it
sort of looks like you're getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. Yikes,
let's get out of here.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
Who or swans?
Speaker 4 (18:03):
We're heading back to the studio. So he's sort of
our Swan song. All right, here we are back at
the studio. I'm covered in bug bites. Why did I
create a history simulator that didn't protect us from mosquitoes?
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Oh? All that, and you didn't even get us'more?
Speaker 6 (18:23):
Oh no one came back with us.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
By Okay, listeners, let's hear this song about.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
The one and only Judy Human, featuring the amazing vocalist
Jenna by Bridge.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
I'm looking for feisty disabled people.
Speaker 10 (18:45):
I see I.
Speaker 9 (18:58):
Eighteen, that's one, and have a contracted polios sort of
cut me and I could still move my arms and
my neck and my face.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
But I was paralyzed from below the wigs. But just
know that the song ain't a sock story. Ain't the
go crying home to your mom's story.
Speaker 9 (19:17):
This about finding force when you're afraid getting lemons, turning.
Speaker 6 (19:21):
Them to lemonade.
Speaker 5 (19:23):
See jump forward to the first day of my new school.
Want to learn in the worst way, but in.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
A curse ray.
Speaker 9 (19:30):
They took one look at the wheelchair teachers tell me
I cannot be there.
Speaker 5 (19:36):
You know they called me a fire hazard.
Speaker 9 (19:39):
We will show them a fire hazard.
Speaker 5 (19:43):
To go to class. I had to give them some sass,
claim my dignity. Change the policy.
Speaker 11 (19:47):
So we had to be sight seeing, be the brawler
you want to be, sing make the shift that you
want to see se no time for the niceties.
Speaker 10 (19:58):
Feisty, feisty.
Speaker 5 (20:02):
Second first second, lesson second, time to fright.
Speaker 10 (20:05):
I want to be a teacher.
Speaker 5 (20:06):
Help the youth out right. Got my grades, good, pass
my tests, bought my shock. They say I can't teach
because I can't watch. This rule was blatantly unfair and wrong.
I'm teaching school, I'm not running a marathon.
Speaker 9 (20:21):
Lord of the Education of New York was not the
paragon of equity I needed, so I sued them, put
the pressure on.
Speaker 5 (20:27):
You know, they settled out of court. First ever teacher
in a wheelchair in New York.
Speaker 9 (20:33):
Plus, I got a lot of press from my stress,
and soon got so many letters files all upon the test,
those from scared adults and the nervous kids being denied
their basic services.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
I now know what my purpose is. Activists who make disturbances.
Speaker 9 (20:48):
If their threading is uncurbing, and I'm serving servingly and urgently,
I'm good.
Speaker 5 (20:53):
It's like se be the brawler you want to be.
I see, make the shift that you want to see.
No time for the niceties.
Speaker 10 (21:02):
Feisty, be seisty.
Speaker 5 (21:06):
As you consume of facts that led to many positives.
Speaker 9 (21:09):
But disabled people still in their policy paragatives, prison by pity,
paternalism and persecution perpetrated the politicians immune prosecution.
Speaker 5 (21:18):
Oo, we need a little.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Traction, wail.
Speaker 5 (21:23):
How about I'm selling action now.
Speaker 9 (21:25):
We on a mission to improve the positions of people
who won't be hidden.
Speaker 5 (21:29):
Will be told that we don't fit it. So we
went to a building and started what's called the city.
That's where you show up on bidding and basically get
to sit.
Speaker 9 (21:37):
We stay twenty six days without a stock, wouldn't move.
Speaker 5 (21:41):
Even when they brought the army and the cops.
Speaker 9 (21:44):
It was worth it when we finally got our props,
when we got the regulations that we wanted from our
arms and we learn the basic fact people don't clean
up their act just for kicks.
Speaker 5 (21:54):
Need a nudge and a push and a flick. They
need by see be a brawl or you want to
I see? Make the shift?
Speaker 10 (22:02):
Think you want I see?
Speaker 5 (22:04):
No time for the niceties?
Speaker 10 (22:06):
Feisty, de seisty, feisty.
Speaker 5 (22:11):
Be the brawler.
Speaker 10 (22:12):
You want to be seisty? Make the shift?
Speaker 11 (22:15):
Think you want no time for the niceties?
Speaker 10 (22:19):
Feisty, be feisty.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
We'll be right back after a few words for the
grown ups listeners.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
Thanks for joining in today and for learning more about
the mother of the disability rights movement, Judy Human. In fact,
she inspired me so much I've changed my plan for
the garden party.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Hey Nnedy Haley, Hey Hi Man Phil, Hey Tina Yo.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
I showed up today around five thirty am for your
party because I'm always fashionably late, but I think I
actually ended.
Speaker 6 (22:57):
Up being fashionably early.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
It was utzon you did.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
I thought it was kind of weird to have a
party so early in the morning, But then again, you're
pretty weird too, body in.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
A good way. Thanks Phil, You're kind of weird too,
I know.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
Also, I just want to say to this pile of
dirt and empty planter boxes we're all standing around off
fantastic love that pre plan esthetic waw.
Speaker 4 (23:27):
I actually had a question about that, Niminy. I thought
you were inviting us to a garden party, but there's
no garden in here.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
I thought we could change this from a garden party
to a gardening party.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
I have all these.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Different types of seeds here, and they each need different
conditions to help them grow. So will you help me
create a better environment for each of these different types
of plants?
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Sure? What are all these birds doing here?
Speaker 6 (23:56):
I'll explain later.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
Whoa, that's what it is, very good with a wheelbarrow.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
Let's get gardening.
Speaker 1 (24:06):
Thanks everyone. While we all work on the garden, I
am gonna briefly.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Sneak away for an interview. Hi, Alie, can you introduce
yourself for our listeners.
Speaker 12 (24:19):
My name is Ali Stroker and I am an actress
and a singer and a dancer. I have had the
privilege of performing on Broadway and winning a Tony Award
for my performance in Oklahoma, where I played ado Annie.
And I also am an activist and an advocate for
(24:42):
people with disabilities. I was injured in a car accident
when I was two and use a wheelchair for mobility.
I have a two year old son named Jesse, who
is hilarious and such a joy. And I'm married to
the love of my life named David, and we live
in Westchester.
Speaker 2 (25:02):
Amazing. Now, Elizabeth, can you tell us a little bit
about yourself?
Speaker 6 (25:06):
Okay, So I'm Elizabeth.
Speaker 13 (25:08):
I'm fourteen, and I'm in theater at my school. I
do chorus, and I like to play sled, hockey, baseball, swimming.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
So, Elizabeth, I know you have some questions prepared. Do
you want to jump in with your first one?
Speaker 13 (25:26):
What was the one thing that was most challenging for
you with your disability to start your acting career.
Speaker 12 (25:32):
I began singing and doing theater when I was seven
years old. And before I began doing theater, I was
really shy and I felt really different being a little
kid with a disability. It felt really hard. It felt
like when I would enter rooms I was being stung
by bees. It was just so uncomfortable. And then when
I got on stage, everyone was staring at me. But
(25:55):
it was for a different reason. Now, it wasn't because
of my wheelchair. It was because I was the star
of the show and I was totally hooked.
Speaker 8 (26:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 13 (26:04):
I can relate to that a lot, because like when
I was in sixth grade, it was really hard and
I went to theater and I was on the stage
and it kind of felt like it was where I
was supposed to be. I saw myself as a normal kid,
not with the disability.
Speaker 10 (26:21):
Yes, exactly.
Speaker 12 (26:22):
Wait, can I ask you a few questions?
Speaker 8 (26:25):
Sure?
Speaker 12 (26:26):
Yes, Okay, what is your dream role in a show?
Speaker 13 (26:31):
I really want to try out for Dorothy and Wizard
of All. Yes, but like I'm shy and it's like
very scary for me totally.
Speaker 12 (26:41):
I don't know what your audition will be like. But
I always say to people like, if you have any
questions about what I can do and sort of you
know how I move in my physical vocabulary, I'd love
to talk to you guys about it, because the truth is, like,
when you're collaborating on a show, you probably.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Have as many ideas as they do.
Speaker 12 (26:59):
Yeah, and maybe even more that they wouldn't even think
of because you live with your disability, and you know
what is really kind of unique and cool about it,
and there's ways to be creative and incorporate it into
the show. Yeah, you know this concept of clicking your
heels three times, Like I wear a lot of rings.
Speaker 10 (27:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (27:18):
I don't know if you use a wheelchair or not,
but like I like to click my rings against my wheels.
Speaker 6 (27:23):
All of a.
Speaker 12 (27:23):
Sudden, It's like, who says clicking your heels three times
has to look the same as it's always looked, Like
I can click my wheels instead of heels three times.
There's so many cool opportunities to come up with creative options.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Yeah, Elizabeth, is there anything you want to ask Ali
about Judy Human?
Speaker 13 (27:43):
I thought it was kind of cool that like she
fought for like our rights because of our disability.
Speaker 12 (27:50):
Judy's whole thing was she was sick of hearing no.
She believed that we as a community of people with
disabilities deserved to.
Speaker 6 (27:59):
Have access and rights.
Speaker 12 (28:00):
By the way, Elizabeth, like, I believe that the future
is accessible and that's the life that I'm leading and
the work that I do in.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
My life to make it so.
Speaker 12 (28:09):
I always say when someone is not able to see that,
that's not a person for me, and that's okay too. Like,
I surround myself with people who are passionate about my
ability and access to the world, and you will have
the same. Elizabeth, You're so bright, you're so smart. Like,
continue to surround yourself with people who believe in accessibility
(28:34):
and change.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Oh, this was an amazing conversation. Thank you both so
much for being here.
Speaker 13 (28:40):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 6 (28:42):
You inspire me.
Speaker 12 (28:43):
I'm inspired by you. Great to meet you and have
a wonderful day. Bye bye bye.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
Listeners.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
Thanks for joining in today and for going on a
journey with me to learn about the disability rights activist
Judy Human. And a huge thanks to today's guests Jenna Bainbridge,
Ali Stroker and Elizabeth.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
We'll be back next week with another episode, another song,
and another hero.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
After all, someone's gotta make more historical records. Until then, Remember,
to make history, you gotta make some noise. Oops, forgot
to turn the random sprinkler timer off. Gotta go signing off.
This is Niminy reminding you to stay by sea.
Speaker 7 (29:28):
Whye Historical Records is produced in partnership with Story Pirate Studios,
Questlove's two on five Entertainment John Glickman and iHeart Podcasts
Executive produced by Emir Questlove, Thompson, John Glickman, Lee Overtree
(29:53):
and Benjamin Salka. Executive produced for iHeart Podcasts by Noel Brown.
Producers for Story Pired Studios are Isabella Riccio, Sam Bear,
Eric Gerson, Andrew Miller, Lee Overtree, Peter McNerney and niminy Ware.
Producers for two one five are Sewn g Brittany, Benjamin
and Zarah Zolman. Hosted by niminy Ware. Our head writer
(30:17):
is Duke Doyle. Our historians are Gabe Pacheco and Lee Polus.
Music supervision for two one five by Stroe Elliott. Scoring
and music supervision for Story Pirate Studios by Eric Erson.
Sound designed and mixing by Sam Bear at the Relic
Room in New York City. Additional recording by Brett Tuban,
song mastering by Josh Han, Theme song by Dan Foster
(30:39):
and Eric Gerson and produced by Eric Erson. Production coordination
by Isabelle Riccio, Production management by Maggie Lee. The line
producer for Story Pired Studios is Glennis Brault. Pr for
Story Pirate Studios is provided by Naomi Shaw. Episode artwork
by Camilla Franklin. This episode was written by Megan O'Neill.
(30:59):
The song Judy Human was written by Dan Foster and
produced by Eric Gerson. Special guests Ali Stroker, Jenna Bainbridge
and kid interviewer Elizabeth. This episode features performances by Peter McNerney,
Megan O'Neil, Lee Overtree, Lee Polis, Austin Sanders, Jamie Watson,
and Niminie Ware
Hey listeners, Niminy here, host of historical records.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Get ready to hear about a historical hero through hip hop.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Also, parents and teachers, You can download a free activity
related to today's episode by visiting story pirates dot com
slash Historical Records, and now onto the show. After a
few words for the grownups, Hey listeners, it's Niminy.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Welcome back to Historical Records.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
We're doing things a little different on the show today
because I am at the gardening store and whoops, I
dropped my trowel anyway as I was saying, I'm throwing
a garden party tonight's and I.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Need a few last minute supplies.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
For example, these seeds, these pruning snips ooh, and this
huge claypot.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Oh, dear, cleanup on Aisle five, Herb, please report to
the betch to my bad.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
I'll just grab another large clay pot.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Herb clean up on Aisle five stats.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
I'll just grab another one, Herb co red.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Someone is breaking all the pots in Aisle five.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
What I don't even reads for one? What is happening?
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Herb?
Speaker 5 (01:20):
Where are you? This is officially a clean up emergency.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Ole fine, where am I?
Speaker 6 (01:32):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Calm down? Niminy.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
You're back at the bunker in your bed. There's no herb,
there's no Aisle five. It was all a dream man.
I guess I'm a little, how you say, stressed about
this garden party.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
I'm gonna throw later.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
But you know it's great for stress gardening listeners, let's
go check on those plantstick a store of over record calls.
Speaker 6 (02:01):
You are now listening to historical work.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
To make history, you got to have struggles to make history.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
You got to show toys.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Cannot be quiet, loud as a riot to make history,
you gotta make some noise. Hello, lovely listeners, Welcome back
to Historical Records, the show where I dig into historical
records in order to produce historically themed records. And by records,
I mean songs, which is actually a bit of a
(02:31):
history lesson in itself. Did you know songs and albums
used to be called records?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
It's true, And if you have an adult.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
In your life who still listens to records, be warned
that if you ask their opinion about music, they're gonna
talk a lot. Now follow me, listeners, We're headed to
a part of the bunker you've never been to. Oh hot, Tina,
where my headed. I'm on my way to the greenhouse
to check on my plants for the garden party later.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Where are you going? Oh, that's right. You're nocturnal, so
you're going to bed. And that's also.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Probably why you're in a dressing gown and a bonnet.
And here I thought you were making a bold fashioned choice.
Sleep tight, Tina.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I hope you don't have any stress dreams about herb
Never mind, I'll see you later anyway, listeners.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Today's episode of Historical Records is all about Shouty Human,
who is known as the mother of the disability rights movement.
But before we learn more about her, I need to
check up on my plants. I started a bunch of
seeds a few weeks ago, and today's the first day
I've been able to check up on them. Oh no,
(03:44):
all the plants are dead or dying.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
What have I done?
Speaker 6 (03:48):
Hey, Niminy, I'm here for the garden party.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Me what are you doing here? The party is not
for another twelve hours.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Ah, well, the invite didn't say whether it was five
am or five pm. I thought it was a little
weird that a party would start at five am. But
you're a little weird, Niminy, like in a good way.
So I just went with it.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
I won't argue with you on that. But I don't
know if there's gonna be a party at all.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Now, just look at this garden. It's not all bad.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
The leaves on this shrub here are really beautiful, bright yellow.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
They're supposed to be green.
Speaker 6 (04:24):
Ooh, yikes. What were the conditions like in here?
Speaker 1 (04:27):
You know me, I love my gadgets, so I set
my UV light timers to sixteen hours a day, programmed
plant food to scatter every other day, and set the
sprinklers to go off every five minutes at random intervals
to mimic rain and nature. Oh and of course I
programmed gentle thunderstorm noises to play whenever that happens.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Oops, they're going off now. Hope you brought your umbrella.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Who would go to a garden party without an umbrella?
Speaker 6 (04:54):
Niminy. I understand why you programmed.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
This room the way you did, but it looks like
you have a a lot of different plants in here.
Individual plants need specific conditions to thrive. You can't expect
a bonzie tree and a cactus to grow strong.
Speaker 6 (05:09):
In the same kind of environment.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Wow, I guess not. I was just excited to have
a garden party. I'm a tiny sandwich.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
Is in everything, totally understandable, And actually it makes me
think about this week's episode about Judy Human.
Speaker 6 (05:24):
Really why I'll show you here?
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Oh, Lee, I think the party's off.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
You can put away that bird shaped whistle you brought
as a party favor.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Actually, this bird whistle is this week's history simulator.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Oh you know, I love a name. Let's go.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Just as a heads up, this whistle attracts actual birds,
so you might see some after I blow on it.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
That's great. I love birds me too.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
But just a reminder, there are over eleven thousand species
of birds, and I can't control which ones show up.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
In that case, maybe we should pause because I really
don't like.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
See sign them.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Why I don't know, Well, come on, let's fly.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Whoa Where did we travel to, Lee? I assumed somewhere
near an oce.
Speaker 6 (06:19):
No, we're on the south lawn of the White House.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
What then, why the seagulls? The birds have their.
Speaker 6 (06:26):
Own reasoning, Nimini, best not to question it. But you
should look over.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
There at that platform where a bunch of people are
standing in front of a crowd.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Wait a minute, is that President George HW. Bush?
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Yup and see that woman over there wearing glasses in
the wheelchair.
Speaker 6 (06:43):
That's Judy Human.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Does Judy Human work at the White House?
Speaker 6 (06:48):
Not yet.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Eventually she does end up working with President Clinton's administration,
but that's still a few years away. Today, she's here
because President Bush is signing the nineteen ninety Americans with
Disabilities Act, so known as the ADA.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
And what did the ADA do.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
It's a civil rights law that says it's illegal to
discriminate against people who have disabilities. The world looked very
different before the ADA.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
In what way?
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Well take Judy for example. When she was a kid,
she had a disease called polio that forced her to
use a wheelchair to get around. But many buildings were
built in a way that made it impossible for wheelchairs
to get inside and move around.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
That's not fair.
Speaker 6 (07:28):
It wasn't.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
But when the ADA became the law of the land.
See that wheelchair ramp over there leading up to the
stage where Bush is speaking. That is one small way
the ADA helped to make spaces accessible for everyone. Wow,
And look do you see how there's an ASL interpreter
translating everything that's being said into sign language.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Yes, I love watching interpreters, especially at concerts.
Speaker 6 (07:51):
That's part of the ADA too.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Judy was part of a movement that wanted to change
the world, to give everyone more access and the right
kind of environment to feel like they belong.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Seems like everyone here is happy about the ADA getting passed.
But is it just me or does Judy seem a
little unsatisfied?
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Spot on Nimoni. Judy showed up to support this act
being signed because it was a step in the right direction,
But she had openly spoken out saying she didn't think
the ADA went nearly far enough.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
She said that to the President.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
While she said it to the media, so President Bush
knew she was less than thrilled about it.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Oh, I really admire her honesty. Me too.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
It can be really intimidating to speak up for yourself. Now,
let me take you further back to another time when
Judy spoke up. Just prepare yourself, because you know the
bird thing.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
We can do this, Lee, give us a whistle. Oh,
thank goodness, it's.
Speaker 6 (08:53):
A flock of meadow larks. Gorgeous here we are. What
a beautiful way to travel.
Speaker 7 (09:02):
Hey, lady are you gonna stand in the middle of
this sidewalk all day?
Speaker 2 (09:05):
I'm walking here. If it's a break, we're lurking here?
All right?
Speaker 3 (09:11):
All right, everyone's a character in New York City, Lee,
Look over, there is.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
That kid, an old timy Newsy in a cap selling papers.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
It sure is extra extra Read all about it. Woman
in wheelchairs us to become teacher? Whoa he must be
talking about? Judy Human extra extra Read all about it.
Judy Human wins case against school board again teacher's license.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
Oh wait?
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Newsies were a fixture of life in the eighteen hundreds.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
How far back do we go?
Speaker 4 (09:40):
Lee, the nineteen seventies Are the newsies historically accurate? You
let me worry about that memony. Listen to what the
newsies are saying about.
Speaker 8 (09:48):
Judy extra Exjack read all about it. In a twist
of fate, Judy Human wins discrimination lawsuit against the school
board that bart from attending school as a child.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Okay, wild what are they talking about?
Speaker 4 (10:03):
When she was entering elementary school in nineteen fifty two,
a school board in Judy's neighborhood didn't let her attend
school because they said her wheelchair was a fire hazard.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
That seems outrageous even for the nineteen fifties. But what
does that have to do with these headlines about her
getting a teacher's license.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Years later, after Judy had earned her teaching license, that
same school board said she couldn't be a teacher in
their school because she failed the medical exam because she
couldn't walk.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
That's really unfair. She was obviously able to be a teacher.
She was just going to need to get around the
school in her own way.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
In schools today.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
There are not only ramps in elevators so that everyone
is able to get around. There's even braille on all
the signs on the walls to help those that are
vision impaired.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Exactly, and all that progress is the result of Judy
and her colleagues demanding that buildings be more accessible. Because
the world is largely designed able people in mind, you
have to use your imagination in a new way to
rethink places and make them for everyone.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
If only the school board could have realized that back
in nineteen fifty.
Speaker 4 (11:11):
Two Extra Extra Exclusive interview with Judy Human, page four.
Speaker 6 (11:15):
Oh we should read that. Excuse me, hi, I'd like
to buy a paper. Please show a thing that'll be
three fifty three fifty. That is expensive for the seventies.
Oh well, here you go, Neosy.
Speaker 7 (11:28):
Thanks extra extra podcast a story and swindled by anachronistic noozy.
Speaker 6 (11:32):
Read all about it, you little rascal.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Wait Lee, why would we just read about it when
we could go see Judy get interviewed.
Speaker 6 (11:42):
Oh yeah, maybe I could return this paper to that
sales final.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Oh New York, let's get to that interview.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
That's suburb.
Speaker 6 (11:53):
Well, yeah, it's called a jack snipe.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
I might need to sample it for a beat that
it is awesome. Now that's the only way to time travel.
Speaker 6 (12:04):
Judy humans about to give her statement. Sorry, okay, so niminy.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
Here we are at the Overseas Press Club at Judy's
news conference, and there she is.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Judy, how do you feel now that you've won the case?
Speaker 9 (12:18):
I feel qualified to teach now and I don't want
to wait.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
I bet Judy was an amazing teacher.
Speaker 6 (12:24):
She didn't end up teaching that much after the lawsuit.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
What that makes me sad to hear?
Speaker 6 (12:30):
It's actually pretty inspiring.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
Judy realized that her work needed to be outside of
the classroom after.
Speaker 6 (12:36):
This whole experience.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
What did she end up doing.
Speaker 6 (12:39):
I'll show you.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
What am I supposed to go with this?
Speaker 4 (12:45):
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin wanted the National bird
to be the Turkey?
Speaker 2 (12:50):
And ab knows that late?
Speaker 6 (12:54):
Where are we try to keep your voice down.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
It's pretty late at night or early in the morning,
depending on how you look at it.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
We're in some kind of office building full of people
having a sleepover.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
It's less of a sleep over and more of a
sit in.
Speaker 7 (13:10):
Hm.
Speaker 6 (13:11):
Hm, that makes sense.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
People are definitely sitting, mostly at empty desks. And look,
there's a few people over there on the floor in
sleeping bags playing a game. And based on the various
haircuts I'm guessing we're in the seventies again, Correct.
Speaker 6 (13:25):
We're in nineteen seventy seven.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
I thought sit ins were like protests, like the ones
from the Civil rights movement.
Speaker 6 (13:31):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
All of these folks are part of da Disability in Action,
an organization that Judy helped create that brings people together
to fight for the inclusion of disabled people.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
Are they all protesting about another teacher license getting denied?
Speaker 6 (13:46):
No, this is a much bigger moment.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
This is one of many sit ins staged across the
country by DIA and other groups demanding that the government
take action on section five oh four of the Rehabilitation
Act of nineteen six seventy three.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Nineteen seventy three. But didn't you just say it's nineteen
seventy seven.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Yes, So in nineteen seventy three, after other protests led
by Judy in her community, President Nixon finally signed papers
that basically said no disabled person should be excluded from
any program, service, or similar which receives federal funds.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
That's great, it is great.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
But before section five oh four could be put into law,
the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare had to
come up with this sort of checklist to help determine
who is disabled.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
So all these activists had already helped bring about a
new law, but one department delayed those laws being put
into action for four years.
Speaker 6 (14:43):
Pretty much, no wonder Judy got so feisty.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Okay, everybody, I don't want to wake you if you're resting,
but you know.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
What time it is.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
I'm not exactly sure what's happening. Now.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
They're taking down that big sign that says twenty one
and replacing it with it's another sign that says twenty two.
Speaker 6 (15:02):
Fellow protesters.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
If you can, we'd love for you to stay just
one more night.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Oh, I see all these people have been here protesting
for twenty two days and twenty two nights.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
That's such a long time.
Speaker 6 (15:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
And some of the people here needed specific medical supplies
to get through even a regular day, so other people
from the community brought them stuff to help them keep going.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
How did they know what to bring them?
Speaker 1 (15:28):
I mean, it's nineteen seventy seven. There are no cell phones,
and I don't think they'd just let the protesters use
the phones in here, yo.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
They didn't.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
In fact, the FBI cut the phone lines in here
to try and get the protesters to leave, but they
found a way.
Speaker 6 (15:44):
Look over there, that woman.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Is using sign language to communicate with somebody on the
other side.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Of that window.
Speaker 6 (15:51):
Isn't that amazing?
Speaker 4 (15:53):
The FBI couldn't stop asl Still, it.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Sounds like hard work. How much longer does the protest go?
Speaker 6 (16:00):
They'll be here for a few more days, twenty four altogether.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
I know this is a protest and everyone here is
rightfully angry and felt called to action, but it.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
Also feels good in here.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Is that weird to say?
Speaker 6 (16:14):
I don't think so?
Speaker 4 (16:15):
And Actually, that makes me think of one other thing
I want to show you. I really hope I don't
wake anybody up with this history simulator.
Speaker 6 (16:21):
But here we go. Owls.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
What a perfect bird to take us to our next stuff.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
You're right, Lee, those owls were on thepe I'm seeing
a bonfire with people gathered around it. I hear frogs
and crickets. There are mosquitoes.
Speaker 6 (16:46):
Oh no, I do not do well with mosquitoes.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Then we better be quick.
Speaker 6 (16:50):
What's the scoop on this gathering.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
We're at a place called Camp jen Ed. It's a
summer camp Judy went to and she was a teenager.
Speaker 6 (16:58):
Look, she's right over there sitting.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
You're the fire.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Where Sorry, it's hard to tell from this far back,
and there's more than one person in a wheelchair over there.
Speaker 6 (17:07):
She's the one who just made everyone laugh. Gotcha.
Speaker 4 (17:10):
I wanted to bring you here because Judy talks about
Camp Jened a lot.
Speaker 6 (17:14):
It was a camp for young people with disabilities.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
It's here that Judy said she realized that a lot
of the limited way people view folks with disabilities comes
from fear.
Speaker 6 (17:24):
It sparked something in her to want to change that.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Maybe this is where her flame first got it spark.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
Hard to say, but it gave Judy and many other
campers an idea of how great things could be if
everyone is given a chance to thrive.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
Other campers from jened went on to be disability rights
activists too.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
Okay, they're really getting into that song.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Oh, which reminds me we better get back to the
studio to create some music of our own. Also, it
sort of looks like you're getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. Yikes,
let's get out of here.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
Who or swans?
Speaker 4 (18:03):
We're heading back to the studio. So he's sort of
our Swan song. All right, here we are back at
the studio. I'm covered in bug bites. Why did I
create a history simulator that didn't protect us from mosquitoes?
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Oh? All that, and you didn't even get us'more?
Speaker 6 (18:23):
Oh no one came back with us.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
By Okay, listeners, let's hear this song about.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
The one and only Judy Human, featuring the amazing vocalist
Jenna by Bridge.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
I'm looking for feisty disabled people.
Speaker 10 (18:45):
I see I.
Speaker 9 (18:58):
Eighteen, that's one, and have a contracted polios sort of
cut me and I could still move my arms and
my neck and my face.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
But I was paralyzed from below the wigs. But just
know that the song ain't a sock story. Ain't the
go crying home to your mom's story.
Speaker 9 (19:17):
This about finding force when you're afraid getting lemons, turning.
Speaker 6 (19:21):
Them to lemonade.
Speaker 5 (19:23):
See jump forward to the first day of my new school.
Want to learn in the worst way, but in.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
A curse ray.
Speaker 9 (19:30):
They took one look at the wheelchair teachers tell me
I cannot be there.
Speaker 5 (19:36):
You know they called me a fire hazard.
Speaker 9 (19:39):
We will show them a fire hazard.
Speaker 5 (19:43):
To go to class. I had to give them some sass,
claim my dignity. Change the policy.
Speaker 11 (19:47):
So we had to be sight seeing, be the brawler
you want to be, sing make the shift that you
want to see se no time for the niceties.
Speaker 10 (19:58):
Feisty, feisty.
Speaker 5 (20:02):
Second first second, lesson second, time to fright.
Speaker 10 (20:05):
I want to be a teacher.
Speaker 5 (20:06):
Help the youth out right. Got my grades, good, pass
my tests, bought my shock. They say I can't teach
because I can't watch. This rule was blatantly unfair and wrong.
I'm teaching school, I'm not running a marathon.
Speaker 9 (20:21):
Lord of the Education of New York was not the
paragon of equity I needed, so I sued them, put
the pressure on.
Speaker 5 (20:27):
You know, they settled out of court. First ever teacher
in a wheelchair in New York.
Speaker 9 (20:33):
Plus, I got a lot of press from my stress,
and soon got so many letters files all upon the test,
those from scared adults and the nervous kids being denied
their basic services.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
I now know what my purpose is. Activists who make disturbances.
Speaker 9 (20:48):
If their threading is uncurbing, and I'm serving servingly and urgently,
I'm good.
Speaker 5 (20:53):
It's like se be the brawler you want to be.
I see, make the shift that you want to see.
No time for the niceties.
Speaker 10 (21:02):
Feisty, be seisty.
Speaker 5 (21:06):
As you consume of facts that led to many positives.
Speaker 9 (21:09):
But disabled people still in their policy paragatives, prison by pity,
paternalism and persecution perpetrated the politicians immune prosecution.
Speaker 5 (21:18):
Oo, we need a little.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Traction, wail.
Speaker 5 (21:23):
How about I'm selling action now.
Speaker 9 (21:25):
We on a mission to improve the positions of people
who won't be hidden.
Speaker 5 (21:29):
Will be told that we don't fit it. So we
went to a building and started what's called the city.
That's where you show up on bidding and basically get
to sit.
Speaker 9 (21:37):
We stay twenty six days without a stock, wouldn't move.
Speaker 5 (21:41):
Even when they brought the army and the cops.
Speaker 9 (21:44):
It was worth it when we finally got our props,
when we got the regulations that we wanted from our
arms and we learn the basic fact people don't clean
up their act just for kicks.
Speaker 5 (21:54):
Need a nudge and a push and a flick. They
need by see be a brawl or you want to
I see? Make the shift?
Speaker 10 (22:02):
Think you want I see?
Speaker 5 (22:04):
No time for the niceties?
Speaker 10 (22:06):
Feisty, de seisty, feisty.
Speaker 5 (22:11):
Be the brawler.
Speaker 10 (22:12):
You want to be seisty? Make the shift?
Speaker 11 (22:15):
Think you want no time for the niceties?
Speaker 10 (22:19):
Feisty, be feisty.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
We'll be right back after a few words for the
grown ups listeners.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
Thanks for joining in today and for learning more about
the mother of the disability rights movement, Judy Human. In fact,
she inspired me so much I've changed my plan for
the garden party.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Hey Nnedy Haley, Hey Hi Man Phil, Hey Tina Yo.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
I showed up today around five thirty am for your
party because I'm always fashionably late, but I think I
actually ended.
Speaker 6 (22:57):
Up being fashionably early.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
It was utzon you did.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
I thought it was kind of weird to have a
party so early in the morning, But then again, you're
pretty weird too, body in.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
A good way. Thanks Phil, You're kind of weird too,
I know.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
Also, I just want to say to this pile of
dirt and empty planter boxes we're all standing around off
fantastic love that pre plan esthetic waw.
Speaker 4 (23:27):
I actually had a question about that, Niminy. I thought
you were inviting us to a garden party, but there's
no garden in here.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
I thought we could change this from a garden party
to a gardening party.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
I have all these.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Different types of seeds here, and they each need different
conditions to help them grow. So will you help me
create a better environment for each of these different types
of plants?
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Sure? What are all these birds doing here?
Speaker 6 (23:56):
I'll explain later.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
Whoa, that's what it is, very good with a wheelbarrow.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
Let's get gardening.
Speaker 1 (24:06):
Thanks everyone. While we all work on the garden, I
am gonna briefly.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Sneak away for an interview. Hi, Alie, can you introduce
yourself for our listeners.
Speaker 12 (24:19):
My name is Ali Stroker and I am an actress
and a singer and a dancer. I have had the
privilege of performing on Broadway and winning a Tony Award
for my performance in Oklahoma, where I played ado Annie.
And I also am an activist and an advocate for
(24:42):
people with disabilities. I was injured in a car accident
when I was two and use a wheelchair for mobility.
I have a two year old son named Jesse, who
is hilarious and such a joy. And I'm married to
the love of my life named David, and we live
in Westchester.
Speaker 2 (25:02):
Amazing. Now, Elizabeth, can you tell us a little bit
about yourself?
Speaker 6 (25:06):
Okay, So I'm Elizabeth.
Speaker 13 (25:08):
I'm fourteen, and I'm in theater at my school. I
do chorus, and I like to play sled, hockey, baseball, swimming.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
So, Elizabeth, I know you have some questions prepared. Do
you want to jump in with your first one?
Speaker 13 (25:26):
What was the one thing that was most challenging for
you with your disability to start your acting career.
Speaker 12 (25:32):
I began singing and doing theater when I was seven
years old. And before I began doing theater, I was
really shy and I felt really different being a little
kid with a disability. It felt really hard. It felt
like when I would enter rooms I was being stung
by bees. It was just so uncomfortable. And then when
I got on stage, everyone was staring at me. But
(25:55):
it was for a different reason. Now, it wasn't because
of my wheelchair. It was because I was the star
of the show and I was totally hooked.
Speaker 8 (26:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 13 (26:04):
I can relate to that a lot, because like when
I was in sixth grade, it was really hard and
I went to theater and I was on the stage
and it kind of felt like it was where I
was supposed to be. I saw myself as a normal kid,
not with the disability.
Speaker 10 (26:21):
Yes, exactly.
Speaker 12 (26:22):
Wait, can I ask you a few questions?
Speaker 8 (26:25):
Sure?
Speaker 12 (26:26):
Yes, Okay, what is your dream role in a show?
Speaker 13 (26:31):
I really want to try out for Dorothy and Wizard
of All. Yes, but like I'm shy and it's like
very scary for me totally.
Speaker 12 (26:41):
I don't know what your audition will be like. But
I always say to people like, if you have any
questions about what I can do and sort of you
know how I move in my physical vocabulary, I'd love
to talk to you guys about it, because the truth is, like,
when you're collaborating on a show, you probably.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Have as many ideas as they do.
Speaker 12 (26:59):
Yeah, and maybe even more that they wouldn't even think
of because you live with your disability, and you know
what is really kind of unique and cool about it,
and there's ways to be creative and incorporate it into
the show. Yeah, you know this concept of clicking your
heels three times, Like I wear a lot of rings.
Speaker 10 (27:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (27:18):
I don't know if you use a wheelchair or not,
but like I like to click my rings against my wheels.
Speaker 6 (27:23):
All of a.
Speaker 12 (27:23):
Sudden, It's like, who says clicking your heels three times
has to look the same as it's always looked, Like
I can click my wheels instead of heels three times.
There's so many cool opportunities to come up with creative options.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Yeah, Elizabeth, is there anything you want to ask Ali
about Judy Human?
Speaker 13 (27:43):
I thought it was kind of cool that like she
fought for like our rights because of our disability.
Speaker 12 (27:50):
Judy's whole thing was she was sick of hearing no.
She believed that we as a community of people with
disabilities deserved to.
Speaker 6 (27:59):
Have access and rights.
Speaker 12 (28:00):
By the way, Elizabeth, like, I believe that the future
is accessible and that's the life that I'm leading and
the work that I do in.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
My life to make it so.
Speaker 12 (28:09):
I always say when someone is not able to see that,
that's not a person for me, and that's okay too. Like,
I surround myself with people who are passionate about my
ability and access to the world, and you will have
the same. Elizabeth, You're so bright, you're so smart. Like,
continue to surround yourself with people who believe in accessibility
(28:34):
and change.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Oh, this was an amazing conversation. Thank you both so
much for being here.
Speaker 13 (28:40):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 6 (28:42):
You inspire me.
Speaker 12 (28:43):
I'm inspired by you. Great to meet you and have
a wonderful day. Bye bye bye.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
Listeners.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
Thanks for joining in today and for going on a
journey with me to learn about the disability rights activist
Judy Human. And a huge thanks to today's guests Jenna Bainbridge,
Ali Stroker and Elizabeth.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
We'll be back next week with another episode, another song,
and another hero.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
After all, someone's gotta make more historical records. Until then, Remember,
to make history, you gotta make some noise. Oops, forgot
to turn the random sprinkler timer off. Gotta go signing off.
This is Niminy reminding you to stay by sea.
Speaker 7 (29:28):
Whye Historical Records is produced in partnership with Story Pirate Studios,
Questlove's two on five Entertainment John Glickman and iHeart Podcasts
Executive produced by Emir Questlove, Thompson, John Glickman, Lee Overtree
(29:53):
and Benjamin Salka. Executive produced for iHeart Podcasts by Noel Brown.
Producers for Story Pired Studios are Isabella Riccio, Sam Bear,
Eric Gerson, Andrew Miller, Lee Overtree, Peter McNerney and niminy Ware.
Producers for two one five are Sewn g Brittany, Benjamin
and Zarah Zolman. Hosted by niminy Ware. Our head writer
(30:17):
is Duke Doyle. Our historians are Gabe Pacheco and Lee Polus.
Music supervision for two one five by Stroe Elliott. Scoring
and music supervision for Story Pirate Studios by Eric Erson.
Sound designed and mixing by Sam Bear at the Relic
Room in New York City. Additional recording by Brett Tuban,
song mastering by Josh Han, Theme song by Dan Foster
(30:39):
and Eric Gerson and produced by Eric Erson. Production coordination
by Isabelle Riccio, Production management by Maggie Lee. The line
producer for Story Pired Studios is Glennis Brault. Pr for
Story Pirate Studios is provided by Naomi Shaw. Episode artwork
by Camilla Franklin. This episode was written by Megan O'Neill.
(30:59):
The song Judy Human was written by Dan Foster and
produced by Eric Gerson. Special guests Ali Stroker, Jenna Bainbridge
and kid interviewer Elizabeth. This episode features performances by Peter McNerney,
Megan O'Neil, Lee Overtree, Lee Polis, Austin Sanders, Jamie Watson,
and Niminie Ware
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