Sam Ross a catering assistant with Down’s syndrome has been included in the BBC 100 Women 2018 list, naming the most inspiring and influential women around the world this year.
Sam Ross pictured centre at this year’s World Down Syndrome Congress in Glasgow with fellow Lead Commissioners, Andrew MacIntyre and Stuart CampbellThirty-year-old Sam Ross, who has worked with BaxterStorey at City of Glasgow College since 2016, has been included on the list of leaders, trailblazers and everyday heroes, ranging from 15-94 in age.
Other women to appear on the list alongside Ross include Frances Arnold, American chemical engineer and Nobel Laureate, Chelsea Clinton, vicechair of the Clinton Foundation in the US, and Chinese musician and songwriter G.E.M., who uses her influence to support charities and organisations dedicated to music, education and poverty.
Ross is an ambassador for Down’s Syndrome Scotland and was a Lead Commissioner at this year’s World Down Syndrome Congress held in Glasgow. Ross also and travels the world representing people with Down syndrome.
Ross spoke at the World Down’s Syndrome conference in Glasgow, where she gave an insight into her independent life. She travelled to Chennai in India in 2015 to inspire young adults with the condition, and, since then, has given awareness talks at the City of Chambers, the Gallery or Modern Art, King Tuts venue and Tube stations.
Ross commented: “When my Dad told me I’d been selected in the top 100 inspirational women, I couldn’t believe it. It’s been amazing. So many people are coming up me and I’ve even been contacted by someone from Australia who got in touch to congratulate me. I’m so excited I’m famous!”
Allison Miller, operations manager at City of Glasgow College added: “We are so proud of Sam and what she has achieved. Sam joined us through tupe, and is a big character known by many across the college. She is a much-loved member of the team; a real conscientious worker and we couldn’t be prouder of her making the BBC 100 Women 2018 list.”
Tom Lowe, head of people operations, BaxterStorey said: “We believe in treating all people equally and we truly embrace diversity. We offer a wide range of employment opportunities for any individual and we have some fantastic people with learning disabilities working for us and on placements with us. We work in partnership with the college and sit on the Board of the College inclusion team, which was recently recognised with the Glasgow Diversity and Inclusion Award”.
According to the Down’s Syndrome Association, there are approximately 40,000 people in the UK with the condition. The association’s website explains: “People with the syndrome will have a learning disability. The learning disability affects a person’s ability to learn, it does not mean they cannot learn.”
Paul Little, Principal and Chief Executive at City of Glasgow College, said: “Sam is a valuable, well liked and popular member of Team City and her college family is very proud of her. She has rightly been included in the BBC 100 Women because of her contribution to the lives of other people with learning disabilities, which has been recognised by the Scottish Parliament in a motion congratulating her on the work she has carried out in raising awareness of Down’s Syndrome.”
H&C News Comment: This news made us smile earlier today, what a great achievement by a remarkable young woman that we are delighted to publish. We would like to congratulate Sam Ross on this fitting tribute to the work she does to help and represent people with Down’s syndrome. We would also like to congratulate BaxterStorey for embracing diversity and working with people with learning disabilities.