Kimberlé Crenshaw is a prominent American legal scholar and civil rights advocate known for her work on critical race theory and intersectionality. She introduced the concept of intersectionality in the late 1980s, highlighting how different forms of discrimination, such as racism and sexism, can overlap and affect individuals in unique ways. This idea has become essential in understanding social justice issues. As a professor at UCLA and Columbia University, Crenshaw has influenced both academic and public discussions about race, gender, and law. Her work encourages a more nuanced view of identity and inequality, advocating for policies that address the complexities of people's experiences in society.