An Interview With Diane Strand
You can turn off the sun but I am still going to shine.
As a part of our series about ‘5 Steps We Must Take To Truly Create An Inclusive, Representative, and Equitable Society’ I had the pleasure to interview Katherine Magnoli.
Katherine Magnoli is a forty-one-year-old published children’s book author, public speaker, and disability advocate who has spent her life navigating the world from a wheelchair. The author of “The Adventures of KatGirl” and “Pete the Private Eye,” Katherine has dedicated her career to helping children understand and admire the complexity of living with a disability. A former Ms. Wheelchair Florida (2017) and recipient of the Idelio Valdez Advocacy and Leadership Award, she currently runs the nonprofit KatGirl and Friends and serves as Chairperson for the Commission of Disability Issues Board for Miami-Dade County.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to ‘get to know you’. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
My name is Katherine Magnoli, I am a forty-one year old woman who has lived her life as a person with a disability that has primarily seen the world from the vantage point of sitting in a wheelchair. This unique perspective was heightened by the fact that I grew up in a large family of nine where I was the only one with a disability. This, coupled with growing up in a small town with little to no diversity, helped shape my personality as being a very tenacious, resilient, positive person who always leads with her heart.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
As a child, I would have to say that the three stories that I read over and over because I related to them on a deep level were as follows: Joni- the story of Joni Ereckson Tada (a woman who acquired a Spinal Cord Injury at the age of seventeen and the way that her faith has led her to live a well rounded life with love, success, and hobbies). The second one would have to be Why, Charlie Brown? Why? This story shows Linus befriending a girl with Leukemia. I related to this because my disability is coupled with many medical obstacles. Then, finally, the third book that I read was The War Began at Suppertime. A journal-like story that depicts children writing letters to soldiers at war. This did not have to do with disability but instead people reaching out to people who were fighting a war felt very symbolic to me.
As an adult, my favorite books have been Unbroken, A Man Called Ove and No Pity.
Unbroken is a great recollection of a man named Nicholas who overcame great feats when he was captured as a prisoner of war. His resilience and strength spoke volumes to me. A Man Called Ove was a great fictional account of a man who allows his current situation to harden and isolate himself. Then, as fate would have it, he encounters friendly neighbors who show him his own worth and that life is better when you can be there for others and allow them to do the same for you. Finally, No Pity is a shocking recollection of the struggles and accomplishments that people with disabilities have had to face throughout history in the United States.
Now, I wouldn’t be truthful to myself if I did not tell you that the most significant books of all are the ones that I have written myself. They are entitled The Adventures of KatGirl series and Pete the Private Eye. These books written for children have helped thousands of kids not only understand the complexity of living with a disability but see it as something to admire. This is due to KatGirl being a superhero in a wheelchair and Pete the Private Eye being a blind detective that solves mysteries with his cane. These stories have changed my life significantly because they not only helped give me a purpose and a focus but helped me accept my own disability on a much deeper level. All the while, letting me know that in spite of my disability I truly can do anything I put my heart and mind into.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
You can turn off the sun but I am still going to shine — Jason Mraz. This quote is relevant to me because it reminds me that no matter how dim life may seem, I have an inner light that will shine through.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
A true leader is someone who does not rely on accolades and the spotlight to feel like they are getting things done. Instead, it is knowing that to be an effective leader one must be proud of those they lead when they are in the limelight.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. In the summer of 2020, the United States faced a very important self-reckoning about race, diversity, equality and inclusion. This is, of course, a huge topic. But briefly, can you share your view on what made the events of 2020 different from racial reckonings in the past?
A difference that I noticed, and was glad to be a part of it, was that people of all nationalities, ability sets, and sexual and gender identities banded together to fight for equity and inclusion.
Can you tell our readers a bit about your experience working with initiatives to promote Diversity and Inclusion? Can you share a story with us?
First and foremost, as I previously mentioned, I am a published children’s book author. I am also a public speaker that has spoken at countless events including; emceeing the 2024 Christopher and Dana Reeve Summit. I, also, for many years was the cohost on an online radio show called Behind the Chair. In addition, I have been a part of the Miami Inclusion Alliance where we brought awareness to the intersectionality of disability and abuse. These efforts, have helped me earn several proclamations, the titleholding of Ms. Wheelchair Florida in 2017 and the Idelio Valdez Advocacy and Leadership Award given by the Florida Developmental Disability Council.
Currently, I run my own nonprofit KatGirl and Friends that educates children with disabilities about inclusion. In January of 2025, I was voted as Chairperson for the Commission of Disability Issues Board for Miami Dade County. Most recently, my friend (Hector Del Valle) and I have been working on a project that will allow kids with disabilities and the adults in their lives to tell their truth through storytelling.
This may be obvious to you, but it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you articulate to our readers a few reasons why it is so important for a business or organization to have a diverse executive team?
A business should definitely prioritize putting together a diverse executive team so that they can learn from a spectrum of people who have lived different lives. This will in turn help them to understand and reach a broader audience.
Ok. Here is the main question of our discussion. You are an influential business leader. Can you please share your “5 Steps We Must Take To Truly Create An Inclusive, Representative, and Equitable Society”? Kindly share a story or example for each.
1. Nothing About Us, Without Us
This chant at every Disability Rights Movement Protest is a reminder that the life of a person with a disability is a unique experience and should always be included when society makes a decision regarding our well being.
2. Increase Genuine and Authentic Representation in the Media
An increase in genuine and authentic representation of people with disabilities in the media will help end any stigma or negative stereotyping that still exists.
3. Educate Yourself and Ask Questions
When faced with a situation where you must work or interact with a person with a disability, take the time to get to know them by asking them all questions and educating yourself on what they bring to the table.
4. Encourage Children to Ask Questions
Encourage children to ask questions because their curiosity of disability will turn to fear, hatred, and exclusion if you tell them otherwise.
5. Ask Before You Assume Someone Needs Help
Before you assume, ask someone with a disability if they want or need your help.
We are going through a rough period now. What makes you optimistic about the future of the US? Can you please explain?
I have seen an uproar in the disability community to create a more inclusive society.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would love to meet Jim LeBrecht, Joni Ereckson-Tada, and/or the Rollettes.
How can our readers follow you online?
@katherinemagnoli on tiktok facebook.com/katherinemagnoli and @katgirladvocate on Instagram.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: How Katherine Magnoli Of KatGirl and Friends Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.