TESSA SMITH

Tessa Smith is a third-year BAH candidate studying English Literature with a specialization in Creative Writing at Trent University and is recognized as a National Terry Fox Scholar by the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program. As an artist, writer, philanthropist, engaged activist for accessibility, Tessa’s triumphs over two types of cancer as well as the loss of her right eye and left leg have led her to be a sought-after professional keynote speaker, ambassador, and Poster Girl with both the Terry Fox Foundation and SickKids Hospital.

Inspired by a desire to both share her stories of resiliency and to empower others to do the same, Tessa became a freelance journalist and has been published in national and local papers. Her journalistic approach emphasizes the human spirit and its profound capacity for courage while daring to challenge the way we communicate and understand each other.

In 2018, Tessa founded Chatability.org, an online community for students with disabilities in order to connect, collaborate, and mobilize for change. Tessa is an active member of the Presidential Advisory Committee for Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility, and represents student voices on Trent’s Board of Governors. She is also involved in shaping Trent’s philanthropy initiatives through her communications work across campus.