Laverne Cox: Unapologetically Herself

In a world that often demands conformity and silence from those who dare to live outside the narrowest definitions of identity, Laverne Cox stands tall—gloriously, powerfully, Unapologetically Herself.

As Zankie Creative celebrates Pride Month, we’re spotlighting an icon who lives boldly and truthfully. Few embody that spirit more fiercely than Laverne Cox. As an actress, advocate, and cultural trailblazer, she’s not just a trans woman—she’s a phenomenon who reminds us that being exactly who you are is a radical act of love.

A Southern Start, and an Unstoppable Spirit

Born in Mobile, Alabama in 1972, Laverne Cox was raised by a single mother and grandmother in the heart of the conservative American South. From an early age, she grappled with feelings of being “different”—experiences of bullying, confusion, and shame marked much of her childhood. By the age of 11, she had attempted suicide, simply because she didn’t feel like she fit into the rigid gender norms expected of her.

But even in the face of such adversity, something in her refused to dim. Laverne leaned into creativity—finding solace in dance, performance, and expression. She attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts and later studied at Indiana University Bloomington before transferring to Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, where she discovered her voice as both an actress and as a woman.

Her early struggles didn’t define her—they sharpened her vision. They prepared her to be a lightning rod for change, one that the world couldn’t ignore.

Rising to Fame: Orange Is the New Breakthrough

Laverne’s breakthrough came in 2013 when she was cast as Sophia Burset in Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black. Sophia, a transgender woman incarcerated in a women’s prison, was one of the first nuanced, human portrayals of a trans character played by a trans actor on mainstream television. Laverne’s performance was lauded for its warmth, authenticity, and depth.

Her role wasn’t just groundbreaking—it was historic. In 2014, she became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category. Suddenly, the world was watching—and listening.

But Laverne didn’t stop at acting. She used her platform to speak about issues affecting trans communities, particularly trans women of colour, who face disproportionate levels of violence, poverty, and discrimination. Her activism became just as powerful as her performances.

A Woman of Many Firsts

Laverne Cox has built a career on breaking barriers:

• She was the first openly transgender person to appear on the cover of TIME magazine (2014), with the iconic headline: "The Transgender Tipping Point."

• She became the first trans woman to win a Daytime Emmy Award as an executive producer for her documentary Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word (2015).

• In 2020, she executive produced Disclosure, a revelatory Netflix documentary that explores how trans lives have been portrayed in film and television—and why it matters.

Through these achievements, she’s done more than make history—she’s shifted culture. She’s proven that being Unapologetically Herself is not a limitation, but a source of unstoppable power.

The Power of Pronouns and Pride

Laverne has been vocal about the importance of names, pronouns, and self-definition. Her embrace of the female pronoun—she, her, hers—isn’t just a personal choice. It’s a public stance. It’s a declaration of identity that challenges outdated norms and asserts that femininity belongs to anyone who claims it.

To be Unapologetically Herself means Laverne doesn’t just exist—she flourishes. She claims space. She redefines beauty, strength, and womanhood on her own terms.

Her story aligns powerfully with Zankie Creative’s Unapologetically You ethos—a belief that authenticity is not just admirable, but essential. That self-expression, in all its forms, is worth celebrating.

Red Carpets, Red Flags, and Resilience

With her statuesque figure, dazzling smile, and glamorous style, Laverne Cox has become a fashion icon, regularly gracing the red carpet in show-stopping looks. But behind the glamor is a woman who continues to face the realities of transphobia and violence in everyday life.

She has been candid about the physical and emotional toll of being a public figure, including being the target of verbal abuse and online hate. And yet, she doesn’t retreat. She rises.

As she once said: “It is revolutionary for any trans person to choose to be seen and visible in a world that tells us we should not exist.”

That revolution is ongoing—and Laverne Cox is at its heart.

Why She Inspires Us

At Zankie Creative, we know that being Unapologetically You means embracing all the parts of yourself—even the ones the world doesn’t understand. Laverne Cox lives that truth every day. She reminds us that womanhood is expansive, that identity is personal, and that pride isn’t just about being accepted by others—it’s about loving yourself fiercely, without compromise.

To be Unapologetically Herself is Laverne Cox’s greatest achievement. And for every trans child who now sees a reflection of themselves on screen—for every person who’s been told to shrink, to hide, to change—she is a beacon.

This Pride Month, we honour her legacy. We celebrate her courage. And we commit to building a world where everyone can live out loud, love out loud, and be Unapologetically Themselves.