Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a pioneering Black transgender activist born in the 1940s on the South Side of Chicago. She has spent over five decades fearlessly advocating for the rights and dignity of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. Her journey through life has been marked by resilience in the face of adversity, beginning with her early struggles against familial rejection and societal stigma in Chicago.

Born Major Griffin, she came out as trans around age 13, a decision met with hostility from her parents who attempted to suppress her identity through psychiatric treatments and religious exorcisms. This early rejection propelled her to leave Chicago for New York City in the early 1960s, seeking a community where she could live authentically.

After moving to New York, she continued to find her voice and emerged as a pivotal figure during the Stonewall riots in 1969. Alongside Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major bravely fought against police brutality and discrimination, marking a historic moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Despite enduring multiple incarcerations, including a significant prison sentence, Miss Major persisted in her activism. She founded the Transgender, Gender Variant, Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP), focusing on supporting incarcerated transgender individuals and advocating for their rights. Her leadership has extended to creating Tilifi, a sanctuary in Little Rock, Arkansas, providing refuge and support for transgender and gender-nonconforming people amidst escalating anti-transgender legislation.

Today, Miss Major remains an influential voice and beacon of resilience, challenging discriminatory policies and inspiring future generations of activists with her motto, "I’m still fucking here." Her legacy is defined by a profound commitment to justice, empowerment, and the tireless pursuit of equality for marginalized communities across the United States and beyond.