Ruthie-Marie Beckwith

Ruthie-Marie Beckwith, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY), teaching courses in advocacy, disability diversity, and disability history. She has also served as Adjunct Faculty at Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State University. A prominent figure in disability rights, she founded Blue Fire Consulting, Inc. and previously led TASH, Inc. as Executive Director.

• PhD and MS in Special Education from George Peabody College
• BS in Special Education from State University of New York at Geneseo

Her work focuses on empowering individuals with disabilities through grassroots strategies, community organizing, and promoting self-determination and self-employment. She has established two statewide non-profit organizations: The Tennessee Association of Microboards and Cooperatives (TAMC) and People First of Tennessee, Inc.