Writer. Idea Wrangler. Language Strategist. Chronic Illness and Disability Justice Advocate.
What if naming is a way to become less alone in life’s paradoxes and meanings, its beauty and losses?
Dana Ray is a multi-genre writer who explores body-ness, disability studies, gender, and spirituality. She is most likely to be found haunting the essay and memoir section of the nearest independent bookshop.
She was a solopreneur for eight years where she lead unboxable leaders to name their work so they can have the impact they sought in the world. She wrote, self-published, and distributed a book length guide to her process.
In 2013, she was awarded a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship in Bulgaria where she taught critical and creative thinking to 12-18 year olds. Her favorite part was founding a speech and debate chapter at her school— despite not knowing anything about debate—that still exists today!
Education
Bucknell University, 2016, Master of Arts, English Literature and Creative Writing
Penn State Schreyer Honors College, 2011, B.A. English, Minor in Disability Studies, Emphasis Creative Writing
Student Marshall, 2011, College of Liberal Arts, English Department
My story with Endometriosis
Suffering from endometriosis shouldn’t be the norm. There’s more research on male patterned baldness than on this disease that affects 1/10 women worldwide. That needs to change.
“Dana is one of the most challenging people I know and also the most generous, always searching for ways to see more deeply. She builds with an eye towards what she can offer with an essential bravery borne of the idea that getting to know people as whole human beings is worth the risk.”
Kay Newhouse, Community Design Consultant