Paralympic medalist Anjali Forber-Pratt became Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt earning a Ph.D. in Human Resource Education with a concentration in Human Resource Development.
Forber-Pratt's motto has always been … Dream. Drive. Do.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., March 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paralympic medalist Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt is a role model for academic excellence, athletic achievement as a World Record Holder and member of Team USA and, finally, global advocacy for people with disabilities. And, she believes strongly in encouraging others to reach for their dreams. So Forber-Pratt is speaking at two HerWorld events as part of the more than 30 HerWorld events taking place across the country throughout the month of March. Now in its 15th year, DeVry University's HerWorld program provides young women with the tools they need be to be better prepared to succeed in college and introduces them to in-demand careers of the 21st century, including those in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.
On March 20, Forber-Pratt will be at Tinely Park, Schereville, IN and on March 22 she'll speak at Niles, IL sharing stories about goal-setting and motivating HerWorld participants to follow their ambitions and attend college. Forber-Pratt joins Mia Hamm and others that as an official education provider of the U.S. Olympic Committee, DeVry University invited U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes to attend select HerWorld events across the country.
"This is such a wonderful opportunity to reach young women to encourage them to go into education particularly STEM fields," shared Forber-Pratt. "There will be over 200 in attendance at least at each event. It's a great add-on to the fact that I got my Ph.D. last week from the University of Illinois. I was told more than once it couldn't be done and I've done it."
The World Champion in the 200m and a member of the 2011 USA Paralympic Team, Forber-Pratt is currently training and considered a strong "hopeful" for the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Forber-Pratt, an ambassador for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), often races in on the track, half-marathons and last fall competed and finished 4th in the Boston Marathon as part of her training. Forber-Pratt is now Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt, having earned a Ph.D. in Human Resource Education with a concentration in Human Resource Development.
The Natick, MA native Forber-Pratt often speaks about the link between athletic excellence, academic performance and giving back.
"My story is powerful in that it shows the power of overcoming obstacles and that we all have potential to achieve ... even in the face of adversity," said Forber-Pratt. My children's book is directed toward children with disabilities, but also those children without disabilities so that all can see what is possible if they just follow my motto: dream, drive and do."
"There are very few former Paralympians who have reached this milestone, and I believe I am in the minority of current Paralympians as well," Forber-Pratt explains.
About Anjali Forber-Pratt
Anjali Forber-Pratt was introduced to the world of disabled sports at the young age of 5. She quickly excelled and by the age of 9 she was competing at the national level in track and field.
Currently she is the world record holder in the 200m and ranked among the top three fastest T53 women in the world for her other events, the 100 meter and 400 meter events. She was named to the United States Paralympic Track and Field Team and selected to represent the United States at the ParaPan American Games in Rio de Janeiro—where she came home with two gold medals in the 100m and 200m and a bronze in the 400m.
Anjali's current focus is to prepare for London 2012. Anjali is a graduate teaching assistant for the University of Illinois College of Education.
Anjali enjoys traveling for speaking engagements around the country and volunteering with local organizations for kids with disabilities. She also has been promoting her coloring book: Color, Learn and Play: All About Sports for Athletes with Physical Disabilities aimed at educating young aspiring Paralympians on the variety of sports they can play and to teach young children that disabled people can play sports too!
About DeVry University's HerWorld
HerWorld provides opportunities for students to participate in confidence-building workshops, hear from female leaders about their career journeys and be inspired by their own potential and the career opportunities that await them. Even as opportunities have grown for women in science, business and technology, many young women remain unaware of these careers. HerWorld helps expose young women to college and career readiness.
This year, it is anticipated that more than 7,500 young women from hundreds of high schools will participate, all with the opportunity to interact with peers, participate in educational and confidence-building activities, and receive advice from successful female leaders in the community.
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