“I felt that first awareness that there’s a whole set of species whose sounds and calls you’ve never heard—the wonder of realizing that people are growing up with an entirely different sensory experience from yours. This whole country seemed so shiny to me.”

American comedian, writer, and actress of the 2000s and 2010s, best known for her role as Leslie Knope’s best friend on *Parks and Recreation* and her sharp, observational humor about friendship and self-doubt. She has also written memoirs exploring her experiences in the entertainment industry and her journey through gender identity.