Intersectionality has become a central concept in modern social justice movements—but it is more than a buzzword. It is a framework for understanding how different forms of oppression intersect and shape people’s experiences.
Many activists today are putting intersectionality into practice, building movements that recognize the complexity of identity and the need for inclusive approaches to justice.
This list highlights 9 activists advancing intersectionality and shows how their work is reshaping conversations about race, gender, power, and resistance.
What Is Intersectionality?
Intersectionality is a concept developed by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw. It describes how different systems of oppression—such as racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia—overlap and interact.
Rather than treating these issues separately, intersectionality recognizes that people experience them simultaneously.
For example, a Black woman may face discrimination that cannot be understood by looking at race or gender alone. Intersectionality provides a way to understand these layered experiences.
Why Intersectionality Matters in Activism
Activism that ignores intersectionality risks leaving people behind.
By centering intersectionality, activists can:
- Create more inclusive movements
- Address root causes of inequality
- Build stronger coalitions across communities
- Avoid reproducing the very systems they seek to dismantle
The activists below demonstrate what this looks like in practice.
9 Activists Advancing Intersectionality
1. Kimberlé Crenshaw
Kimberlé Crenshaw is the scholar who coined the term intersectionality. Her work has been foundational in shaping how we understand overlapping systems of oppression.
Beyond theory, Crenshaw has been deeply involved in advocacy, particularly around issues affecting Black women and girls.
Impact: Provided the framework that many modern social justice movements rely on.
2. Angela Davis
Angela Davis has long connected struggles against racism, capitalism, and mass incarceration.
Her work emphasizes that liberation must address multiple systems of power at once, making her a key figure in intersectional activism.
Impact: Linked prison abolition, feminism, and racial justice into a unified framework.
3. Tarana Burke
Founder of the #MeToo movement, Tarana Burke has consistently centered Black women and survivors who are often overlooked.
Her approach highlights the importance of addressing both gender-based violence and racial inequality together.
Impact: Brought intersectionality into global conversations about sexual violence.
4. Alicia Garza
Alicia Garza, one of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, has been a leading voice in intersectional organizing.
Her work emphasizes the importance of including queer identities, economic justice, and community-based approaches within racial justice movements.
Impact: Helped shape one of the most influential intersectional movements of the 21st century.
5. Patrisse Cullors
Also a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, Patrisse Cullors brings an intersectional lens to issues such as policing, incarceration, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Her activism highlights how multiple identities influence experiences with state violence.
Impact: Elevated intersectional perspectives within global protest movements.
6. Opal Tometi
Opal Tometi, the third co-founder of Black Lives Matter, has focused on immigrant rights and global Black solidarity.
Her work connects struggles across borders, emphasizing that intersectionality also operates on a global scale.
Impact: Expanded intersectionality to include international and diasporic perspectives.
7. Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox is an advocate for transgender rights who has brought visibility to issues affecting trans women of color.
Her work highlights how gender identity, race, and media representation intersect.
Impact: Increased awareness of intersectional issues within mainstream media.
8. Janet Mock
Janet Mock is a writer, director, and activist who focuses on the experiences of transgender women, particularly women of color.
Her storytelling brings attention to the intersections of race, gender identity, and economic inequality.
Impact: Used media and storytelling to advance intersectional awareness.
9. Audre Lorde
Although she is no longer living, Audre Lorde’s work remains deeply influential.
Her writing addressed racism, sexism, homophobia, and class inequality, often before the term intersectionality was widely used.
Impact: Laid the intellectual groundwork for intersectional feminism.
What These Activists Teach Us About Intersectionality
These activists show that intersectionality is not just a theory—it is a practice.
Their work demonstrates that effective activism must:
- Recognize multiple forms of oppression
- Center marginalized voices
- Build connections across movements
- Adapt to changing social realities
Intersectionality challenges us to think more deeply about justice—and to act accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the concept of intersectionality?
Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the term to describe overlapping systems of oppression.
Why is intersectionality important?
It helps activists understand how different forms of inequality interact, leading to more inclusive and effective movements.
Is intersectionality only about race and gender?
No. It can include class, sexuality, disability, and other aspects of identity.
Final Thoughts
The fight against oppression is complex, and intersectionality provides a way to understand that complexity.
The activists on this list remind us that meaningful change requires more than addressing a single issue. It requires recognizing how systems of power connect—and building movements that reflect that reality.