Ali Stroker Makes History as the First Person Who Uses a Wheelchair to Win a Tony

Lauren Rearick
She shared the win with "every kid who is watching tonight who has a disability, a limitation, a challenge, who has been waiting to see themselves represented in this arena."

Since appearing in Glee, Ali Stroker has worked to make the world of entertainment more inclusive of people with disabilities. She took that one step further on Sunday night, June 9, when she used her Tony award acceptance speech to send a powerful message of love to viewers at home.

During Sunday's ceremony, Ali was recognized for her work in Broadway's Oklahoma! and received the Tony for best featured actress in a musical. Along with making history as the first person who uses a wheelchair to be nominated for a Tony, her win marked the first time someone who uses a wheelchair has received one of the coveted awards for Broadway's brightest. In a moment that had many on social media celebrating, Ali shared the win with "every kid who is watching tonight who has a disability, a limitation, a challenge, who has been waiting to see themselves represented in this arena."

Many noted the importance of the moment, including one Twitter user who wrote, "I am so happy for Ali Stroker and her win tonight at the #TonyAwards. I gave up my musical theater dreams when I was barely a teen because of my disabilities. I can't tell you how much it would have meant to me as a kid to see a disabled woman succeed in that industry." Another follower agreed, saying, "As someone who thought physical disability cut her off from a Broadway/stage career, Ali Stroker’s Tony win made me cry."

Ali, who has used a wheelchair since she was in a car accident at age 2, previously told Teen Vogue that she wanted her time on the stage to inspire others. “I remember being younger and just looking everywhere for someone who looked like me, and it didn't exist,” she said. “When you see somebody else who looks like you, who is in your similar position, you somehow are given confidence that you're going to make it. That's why representation is so important. The stories that we see portrayed, they’re from our own.”

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Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: Ali Stroker on Oklahoma! and Bringing Disability Representation to Another Iconic Musical

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue