Karen delivering an inspiring keynote at a People First conference.

Did you know that Women’s History Month, also known as Women’s Contribution Month, is a month-long celebration of the women who have contributed to culture, history, and society? It grew out of a week-long exploration by dozens of children in Sonoma, California, who read essays of “Real Women” and paraded. This all started back in 1978. Then in 1980 President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation declaring the first week of March National Women’s History Week. Later, in 1987, he issued a second proclamation, expanding it to make the entire month of March Women’s History Month.

The achievements of women go back ‌more than a century. Then they wore corsets and long dresses with hoop crinolines designed to create a bell-shaped silhouette, with petticoats underneath. These were very comfortable. This dark outline showed off the lighter background and became very popular in the mid-19th century, particularly in the 1850s.

Being a dancer, when I close my eyes I imagine myself dancing in one of those ball gowns, pivoting and moving with grace and ease across the floor without a limp, my paralyzed left arm easily stretched out straight, holding onto my partner’s shoulder without difficulty or effort. I am ‌at peace, holding my stance in perfect position.

In my era, there weren’t many historic pioneers or trendsetters. Of course, there were Helen Keller and Jill Kinmont, who was an Olympic skier who had a life-altering accident, as depicted in The Other Side of the Mountain. There was also Judy Heumann, who was a disabled advocate who had been paralyzed by polio as a child.

Then, there was me. Still not known. But at peace with myself and a lifetime of achievements and helping others. my paralysis could have been a lot worse. I could have been deaf, dumb, and blind. Instead, I listened to my own rhythm. I defined my own life, my own destination, and my own healing by dancing through every storm. I defied the odds by living my life on my own terms.

In my own time and way, life presented me with a gift. I became an activities director, a fitness instructor for people with and without disabilities, and an advocate for the disabled. These careers were followed by me becoming a speaker and then a storyteller. At each crossroads, I saw tranquil trees and fluttering butterflies, while difficult situations turned completely around, growing from my positivity and optimism into reality. Feeling free and one with myself, like a once-injured bird flying away into azure expanses, documenting and journaling, looking for solutions, even when there didn’t seem to be any.

Text and image ©2026 Karen Lynn-Chlup. Image from her personal collection.