Biography

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, often referred to simply as Miss Major, is a towering figure in the history of transgender activism. A veteran of the 1969 Stonewall uprising, she has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights and dignity of transgender women of color.

After Stonewall, Miss Major continued her activism while facing incarceration, poverty, and violence. Her experiences fueled her commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of her community. She moved to California and began working with various HIV/AIDS organizations in the 1990s.

She is perhaps best known for her role as the original Executive Director of the Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP), where she advocated for transgender women in the prison system. Her approach to activism is rooted in mentorship and direct support, and she is considered a living mother and grandmother to countless individuals in the trans community. Her unwavering voice and lifelong dedication have made her an icon of resilience and a crucial leader in the fight for justice.