Holly Bonner, D.Min.

Holly Bonner, D.Min. is an award-winning interfaith minister, mental health professional, educator, writer and creator of the informative website, Blind Motherhood.

Dr. Bonner established her site in 2012 after losing her vision and becoming legally blind. Blind Motherhood’s mission is to demonstrate that members of the blind and visually-impaired community can parent safely, independently and effectively.

Dr. Bonner is Director of Spirituality and Civic Engagement at Wagner College. In this role, she helps educate the campus community about various faith denominations while connecting students to civic learning opportunities. With over 20 years of non-profit experience, she teaches courses in civic engagement, leadership, strategic planning and disability studies. 

Her first children’s book, Blind Mom: Monster Detective, will be released by IP books in Winter 2022. Dr. Bonner’s theological text, Breaking the Tape: The Fight for Disability Rights in the Episcopal Church, is also pending publication.

Rev. Dr. Bonner holds a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from Metropolitan College of New York and a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from the prestigious Columbia University.

Seeing a need to integrate spirituality into her mental health practice, she entered New York Theological Seminary (NYTS), where she acquired a third Master’s in Pastoral Care and Counseling (MAPCC) and her Doctorate in Ministry (D.Min.). In 2022, she received the Armour Lewis Scholarship 
at Union Theological Seminary’s Episcopal Divinity School (EDS), where she earned her fourth Master’s degree in Sacred Theology (STM), furthering her academic research on disability culture and interfaith communities.

Dr. Bonner serves on the Board of Directors of New York State Chaplain Task Force as Director of Equity and Inclusion, and with the Staten Island Not for Profit Association. She is also the Mayoral Appointee for the New York City Civic Engagement Commission.

She lives in the West Brighton section of Staten Island with her husband, Detective Joseph Bonner (Ret.), and two daughters, Nuala (9) and Aoife (7). Dr. Bonner’s retired guide dog, Frances, and current guide, Teagan, have allowed her to continue to volunteer with multiple organizations within the Staten Island community, proving disability does not limit one’s capacity for service.