About Nancy Shugart

After losing her sight at the age of eight, Nancy Shugart faced overwhelming obstacles and constant skepticism. She often heard, “Stop. You’re aiming too high. Your plans are too bold.”

Despite this, Nancy became the only member of her family to attend college, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. She defied expectations by teaching in the Austin Independent School District for over two decades—an achievement many deemed impossible due to her blindness.

Nancy’s inspiring journey has been featured widely:

• Her story appeared in publications by the Texas State Teachers Association and the National Education Association.
• The Associated Press profiled her in an article published across nearly every Texas newspaper.
• She has been a guest on numerous radio programs, several local TV shows, and was a cover feature for Austin Family Magazine.

Following her 21-year teaching career (1981–2002), Nancy founded Prove Them Wrong®, LLC. Its mission is to amplify courage by sharing real-life stories of individuals who prove that more is possible than most people believe.

Today, Nancy is:

• An award-winning author.
• A professional speaker and trainer.
• A successful businesswoman.
• A dedicated community volunteer.

Her commitment to service is evident in her long history of contributions to Texas, including five gubernatorial appointments.

• 2013-2017 – Appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve a four-year term as a member of the Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee.
• 2002-2008 – Appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve three two-year terms as a member of the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.
• 2000-2002 – Appointed by former Texas Governor George W. Bush to serve a two-year term as a member of the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.
• In 2003, Nancy, along with volunteer Becky Hare, founded the Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes school program benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In its third year, just as a local program, it raised $250,000 for diabetes research. In 2007, the program became a national program for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation!

Nancy is a member of

• Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas
• National Education Association & Texas State Teachers Association
• National & Texas PTA
• Lions Clubs International & South Austin Lions Club

Awards and Honors:

• 2014 Class of Leadership Texas
• 2014 TEDx conference speaker – hosted by Texas Tech University (2/8/2014)
• 2013 Blazing Star Award recipient – Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas
• 2010 Barbara Jordan Media Award recipient – Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
• 2005 Five Who Care Community Service Award recipient – KVUE-TV (ABC affiliate in Austin)
• 2005 Volunteer of the Year award recipient – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Austin Chapter