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Charlotte Woodward and Madison Essig are just the fifth and sixth students born with Down syndrome to earn a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
Their achievements were recognized during the commencement ceremony, and they’re both honored to hold that distinction.
But it’s also bittersweet because they both believe that number should be much higher.
“Our society seems to have low expectations of what we can and can’t do,” Woodward said.
“I want other people with Down syndrome and other disabilities to have high expectations for themselves and do what they love, do what they want to do with their education,” Essig said.
The pair changed GMU. Thanks to Essig, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in George Mason’s LIFE program can enjoy a full college experience and do things like participate in Greek life and student government. She was the first student with a developmental disability to join a sorority and she was also an elected student senator.
