Marissa Bode, who stars as Nessarose in the hit movie “Wicked,” is breaking new ground for authentic disability representation across the entertainment industry. As a disabled actress, Bode’s vibrant, history-making portrayal of Nessarose has been the centerpiece of her growing platform to advocate and educate about disability.
In recognition of her powerful voice for change, Easterseals Southern California is honored to have partnered with PR Week to award Bode with a most prestigious honor: the 2025 Communicator of the Year.
A group of people smiling at a round dining table during a formal event, with plates, glasses, and smartphones visible on the table.
Presenting this award to Bode was truly exciting, as her work aligns with our ongoing efforts to shift the narrative about disability in the media. Recently, Bode participated in our collaboration with Variety, a leading entertainment industry outlet, as part of our multimedia report, Reimagining Hollywood: A New Lens on Disability Inclusion. You won’t want to miss the video with Bode alongside a group of powerhouse panelists chatting about how creatives with disabilities are building careers and changing the game industry-wide.
“Nobody knows us better than us,” Bode said during the panel, underscoring the fact that people with disabilities should be hired at every level of media production to ensure accurate representation and accessibility on set. She later added a reminder that disability is only one part of a person’s story: “Although I think our identities are of course important to our stories, that’s not all that we are. We’re so much more complex than…the boxes that we’re sometimes put into.”
Bode’s talents and the important insights she shares are indeed helping to bring the disability community outside of these narrow, limiting boxes. Members of the Easterseals team had the opportunity to celebrate Bode’s wise words and many accomplishments at the PR Week Awards event in New York City on March 13—a truly beautiful evening that shined a spotlight on the impact of the communications field.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Bode, and are so proud to support her journey as she continues to build momentum to create a more welcoming world for all.
Leave A Comment