Gabrielle Union

Name: Gabrielle Union Best known for: Actor, activist and advocate Social Media: @gabunion on Instagram, @itsgabrielleu on Twitter

This year marked the 20th anniversary of Union’s hit film Bring It On, and this Hollywood powerhouse clearly brought her A-game. Not only has she been outspoken about racial and gender inequity in the workplace—a move that had her ousted as a judge on America’s Got Talent—but she also advocates for queer and trans rights. This year, her husband’s daughter came out as transgender and Union openly discussed the family’s journey in learning about proper pronouns and how to speak in a way that honoured her transition. Union also graced us with the release of her first children’s book, Welcome to the Party. She dedicated it to the arrival of her first biological daughter, Kaavia James, born via surrogate when Union was 46 years old. The dedication read: “To my daughter, Kaavia James, and every family whose journey to baby may have taken a bit longer than expected. Welcome to the party, you are right on time.”

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