History was made at this year’s Tony awards. Ali Stroker became the first performer in a wheelchair to win a TONY. Stroker won best performance by an actress in a featured role in a musical for “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!” Stroker’s spine was injured in a car accident when she was just two-years-old. She has been in a wheelchair ever since. During her acceptance speech she said:
“This award is for every kid who is watching tonight who has a disability, who has a limitation or a challenge, who has been waiting to see themselves represented in this arena. You are.”
Ali Stoker says she didn't have Broadway role models when she was growing up: "I know exactly what it's like to be looking for someone who looks like me" #TonyAwards https://t.co/tksqOt85uq pic.twitter.com/vWQqIbu0Ze
— Variety (@Variety) June 9, 2019
Watch her full speech above.