NFBTX Person to Know: Sharon Williams

October 24, 2024

Our October Person to Know is Mrs. Sharon Williams of the Fort Worth Chapter. From Austin to Fort Worth, she has been a revolving member of the NFB for 50 years.

Sharon has been blind since birth due to retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP. She is completely blind and has prostheses. She is 70 years old and has been married for 40 years and has one daughter. Sharon is originally from Fort Worth, but her mother moved the family to Austin so that she could get an education at the Texas School for the Blind.

Sharon has been a white cane user since she was eight years old. She is also a guide dog user. She has had six guide dogs: two from Guide Dogs for the Blind, two from Guide Dogs of America, and two from Guide Dogs of the Desert. She got her first guide dog in 1986.

Sharon has had many roles in her life. She has been a Girl Scouts troop leader, a teacher, and done volunteer work with many organizations that she became involved with through her daughter. She has also been involved in the Beeping Easter Egg Hunt for blind children for the past three years.

Sharon went to Austin Community College, and then attended Texas State University in San Marcos. She began working in Early Childhood as a volunteer, which eventually led to a paid position and ultimately led her to Discovery Christian Preschool, where she would become the assistant director.

Sharon enjoys cooking and baking. She loves reading recipe books. Her favorite food is Mexican. Sharon shares with us her favorite words of wisdom: “Get out there and live the life you want. Do what you want. Get out there and volunteer while you’re trying to grind the pavement!”