Hallie Hovey-Murray is working to create a more inclusive and accepting world for people with autism. As a child, she was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. Despite performing at an advanced level academically, Hallie struggled in school and faced an incredible amount of uncertainty throughout her childhood due to misperceptions about autism held by those around her.

Hallie explains that these trials made her stronger, resilient and more compassionate. She discovered that one of her greatest gifts was to use her voice to speak for others.

Today, Hallie is a disability advocate, speaker and author of the self-published book “Overcoming Expectations” about her life experiences of overcoming the expectations set by others around her about her potential. The book will be re-released in February on Amazon. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Hallie is currently a law student at William & Mary Law School. In order to help other students on the autism spectrum fulfill their full potential, Hallie founded the One in 68 Foundation, a non-profit that provides college preparatory resources for high school students with autism.

Hallie held the title of Miss Historic Hanover 2018, and competed at the 2018 Miss Virginia Pageant where she won the Empowered Women Scholarship. She used her platform to speak to groups about the importance of creating a more inclusive and accepting world.

Hallie encourages others to fight for theirs dreams. She shares that one day, it will not be your diagnosis, but your actions that people will define you by. She appreciates that ABLEnow is helping people with disabilities achieve their dreams through financial independence.

ABLEnow is proud to highlight advocates and leaders like Hallie.