Super Sam one of BBC's 100 Women

Sam Ross, Catering Assistant at City of Glasgow College, is one of the BBC’s 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2018.

Ranging in age from 15 to 94, and from more than 60 countries, the BBC 100 Women list includes leaders, trailblazers and everyday heroes.

Listed in alphabetical order, the BBC uncovers women from the shadows of history; exploring a variety of themes and bringing stories of achievement against the odds.

Sam, who has Down’s syndrome, has worked at City of Glasgow College for 12 years.

She was a keynote speaker at the World Down Syndrome Congress which was held in Scotland for the first time, in Glasgow, in July 2018.

Sam is very proud to have been included in BBC’s 100 Women, and said:

“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!”

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.”

Pandora Summerfield, CEO of Down’s Syndrome Scotland, said:

“We are so proud of Sam for being included in the BBC list of 100 inspiring and influential women for 2018. Earlier this year Sam played an important role at the World Down Syndrome Congress as one of our Lead Commissioners. Sam inspired delegates from around the world telling them about her job at Glasgow City College. We hope Sam’s inclusion in this list will challenge the public’s perspective of what people with Down’s syndrome can and do achieve”