January 2026

Congratulations to Selina Lee, who was awarded the 2025 Samuel A. Tucker Memorial Can Do Award at Hoodstock XXII.  “I am grateful and humbled to have received this recognition,” she says, acknowledging that her accomplishments might not seem award-worthy for the average twentysomething.  But Selina is anything but average. 

A recent college graduate with myriad interests, Selina is an avid fan of musical theater.  She has seen “Wicked” four times – both on Broadway and on tour – and has attended countless Broadway shows.  Her passion for genealogy has led her to trace her family history back to the 15th century. After learning her mother’s side of the family came from Belfast, Ireland, Selina discovered and connected with her relatives there and then traveled with her parents to meet them.  “They run a family business repairing race cars,” Selina shares, which gave her the opportunity to ride in a race car.   

Despite her humility, Selina’s journey is a testament to extraordinary resilience and determination.  She began her education at Unified’s Delrey School at age 2 and a half and entered first grade at her neighborhood elementary school at age 6.  After high school, she attended the University of Illinois.  Selina initially struggled to balance academics and independent living.  She took a break but refused to give up.  She enrolled in online courses through the University of Maryland Global Campus and returned to University of Illinois in 2018.  She persevered through the disruption of COVID-19 and, in 2022 completed her degree in classics with a 3.0 GPA.

Selina faced significant challenges securing a job.  She endured a discouraging cycle of interviews, rejections, and employers who lost interest once they learned of her disability.  Selina experienced overt discrimination, which she successfully challenged through the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  “I began to wonder if I would ever get an offer,” she recalls. 

In 2024, Selina was hired as a part-time administrative assistant at the Karina Foundation, a nonprofit that supports people with disabilities.  Office administration was not her career goal, but she loves her job.  Still, she would like to be more financially independent and is looking for additional work.  She lives with her parents and is considering living on her own, possibly in one of Unified’s apartments, but that takes money. 

“My story is pretty typical for someone with disabilities,” she explains.  She wishes employers, and people in general, understood that “every disabled person has to much to offer.”  She continues, “I dedicate my award to all the unemployed people with disabilities who are looking for work.  Imagine a world where everyone had the opportunity to have a job.”