Miss Major is a veteran of the Stonewall Rebellion who was politicized while incarcerated alongside survivors of the Attica riots, a former sex worker, an elder, and a community leader and human rights activist. She is simply “Mama” to many in her community. Her personal story and activism for transgender civil rights intersects LGBT struggles for justice and equality from the 1960s to today. At the center of her activism is her fierce advocacy for her girls, trans women of color who have survived police brutality and incarceration in men’s jails and prisons.
Toshio Meronek on left and Miss Major on right