Abigail Shaw (she, her) is a social worker, long distance runner, a musician, and an admirer of good story telling. Shaw received her Masters of Social Work degree from Fordham University in 2022 and currently provides adjustment counseling to adults, and their families, who have recently received a visual disability diagnosis. She received her bachelor’s degree in music Industry Studies from Appalachian State University, and can sincerely brag about having to walk, uphill both ways, in the snow while going to college in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Born and raised in Eastern NC, Shaw now calls Brooklyn, New York home.
As a long-distance runner, Shaw is a member and co-captain of the New York City chapter of Achilles International, an organization promoting mainstream athletics for people with disabilities. She has competed in several national half and whole marathons and triathlons. In 2023, Shaw was selected to sit on the Brooklyn Assembly Committee to review borough projects as part of the Civic Engagement Commission’s Participatory budgeting (“The People’s Money”). Shaw was a Civic Engagement Apprentice with RespectAbility in 2022, and supported efforts in expanding employment opportunities for Californians with disabilities. Since June of 2019, she has been on the Advisory Committee on Transit Accessibility for New York City Transit. Whether by plane, train or automobile—Shaw’s preferred method of transportation is with her yellow lab guide dog from Guiding Eyes for the Blind by her side.