Sheryl Lee Ralph among TIME Women of the Year

Emmy Award–winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph has been named a 2026 TIME Women of the Year honouree, joining a distinguished group of global leaders, artists, and advocates recognised for their impact across diverse industries.

Ralph thanked TIME for recognising her work in a recent social media post, saying, “Your recognition of me and others continues to spotlight courage, leadership, and the power of women shaping culture and history in real ‘time’.”

In her interview with TIME, the Jamaican-American actress explained why she continues to pursue her craft, even after decades in an industry that has not always been welcoming.

“I act, I sing, I perform because that is my joy. It has given me a platform that I’m able to affect people’s lives and feelings, hearts and minds”.

Reflecting on her career, Ralph recalled a pivotal moment in 1992 on the set of the film Mistress, where she played Beverly. It was there that actor and director Robert De Niro offered her advice that would shape the trajectory of her career.

“He said, ‘You’re a damn good actress. And that’s too bad, because Hollywood is not looking for you. So you better climb that mountain, wave that red flag, and let them know that you are there,’” Ralph shared.

She emphasised that her recent accolades reflect not only her craft but also her humanity. “I got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, not just for my work, but for who I am and what I have brought to this industry as an artist and a human being,” Ralph told TIME.

On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Ralph was awarded a star in the television category on the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard.

Her Emmy win – making her only the second black woman to receive the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – was for her role as Barbara Howard, the kindergarten teacher on ABC’s sitcom Abbott Elementary.

On Sunday, she and her castmates were spotted at the Actor Awards – formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, having been nominated in the Best TV Comedy Ensemble. Ralph was styled by her daughter and longtime stylist, Ivy Coco Maurice, wearing a Saiid Kobeisy Spring-Summer 2026 couture gown.

Outside of her acting career, she has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness through her DIVA Foundation, which she founded in 1990. Last year, the foundation released a documentary special, Living Proof, on World AIDS Day (December 1). The film highlights the lives of Black women navigating the complexities of HIV in the Southern United States.

A beloved figure in the Jamaican diaspora, she is honoured this year alongside Teyana Taylor, veteran actor and advocate Mariska Hargitay, Olympic star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and motivational speaker Mel Robbins.

ruth-ann.briscoe@gleanerjm.com