I’ve had the pleasure to meet both Donna Thornton and her loving husband Ricardo at many National TASH conferences, as Ricardo and I have been attending each other’s presentations over the last 15 years or so. Donna and her husband Ricardo are very humble and don’t “toot their own horns”, so I had no idea at first of the challenging journey they both have experienced until I attended more of their presentations and found out where their passion in advocating for others comes from. Both Donna and her husband’s story, and decades of their dedicated and compassionate advocacy, have helped to influence and positively change the lives of countless people. We are sincerely appreciative of Donna for allowing us to share a bit of her story here, as we honor her for Women’s History Month!
Scott Shepard, Avenues SLS
Donna Thornton is a strong advocate and member of Project ACTION!, the District of Columbia’s self-advocacy coalition. She advocates and testifies at DC City Council hearings, trains disability professionals, and mentors new self-advocates. Donna retired from the Walter Reed National Military 
Medical Center after a 28-year, public servant career. Donna believes that all people with disabilities should be able to work if they want and readily counsels people when they share their career challenges. Donna is a former resident of Forest Haven, Washington DC; the District’s institution for people with developmental disabilities. Donna has presented at local and national conferences on different self-advocacy topics and enjoys presenting to parents with developmental disabilities. She has been married for 37 years to Ricardo Thornton. They have a son, Ricky, Jr., and they are proud grandparents.
<Ricardo Thornton, Scott Shepard, Donna Thornton at Baltimore TASH
Donna serves on the Board of Directors of Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, other advocacy organizations and government agencies to make sure the voices of self-advocates are heard and influence policies and legislation that impact the lives of people with disabilities. Donna has performed with Players Unlimited Theatre Company for over 20 years and is active in her faith community. Donna and her husband have received many awards and were recognized as “Washingtonians of the Year” in 1997. Donna and her husband were the subjects of a made-for-TV movie entitled, “Profoundly Normal,” and appeared on 60 Minutes, sharing their story as one of the first couples with developmental disabilities to be married.
Donna and other advocates from Washington DC’s “Project ACTION!”
Donna’s loving husband Ricardo shared that he is very proud of his wife, their son and their three grandchildren. He appreciates Donna’s dedication, compassion and lifelong advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. He loves her beauty and spicy spirit in everything she does!
Thank you to Phyllis Holton, Rebecca Salon, and Ricardo Thornton for assisting with this tribute.
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