Actress Blake Lively took to Instagram last week to thank civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill. Ifill wrote an essay for TIME that introduced Lively’s candidacy on the 2025 TIME100 list. Ifill’s life-changing legacy left an indelible impact on the nation that served as an inspiration to countless others, including Lively—her own success.
Ifill, 62, has spent her life working on behalf of civil rights and was awarded an honorary degree from TIME’s Person of the Year. In her original essay, she praised Lively as a “heartfelt, knowledgeable, really prepared” person. Ifill underscored Lively’s commitment, calling her a serious person and a risk taker.
Lively grabbed media attention last month when she expressed her humble appreciation for being named to the ultra-prestigious TIME100 list. As she tweeted after learning the news, “It’s a privilege to be recognized on the @time 100 list for 2025. She showed her gratitude in additional ways, including these words here on Twitter, “It’s a privilege to be written about by the great @sherrilynifill. I do NOT take that lightly.”
In her essay, Ifill underscored the philanthropic impact of Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. In 2019, they did the same for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Ifill said it was the first of many calls she got from celebrities wanting to learn how to be activists themselves. She said, I’m always interested in hearing the research celebrities do, what do they look for to first reach out and lend their support.
Ifill’s legacy is more than her significant legal victories. Her writing has been featured in powerful pieces for TIME, as well as sparking crucial conversations about our nation’s most pressing social justice issues. She was inspired by Lively’s take charge mentality. The ones I’ve remained in touch with are the ones who—like Blake—really, really studied,” she said.
Ifill commended Lively’s commitment to carrying out social justice programs. She said, “She’s determined to make this country better for her children and for mine.” This is a sentiment that really strikes home with Lively, whose deeply emotional appreciation was more than well-deserved for their honor Ifill. She posted on Instagram, “Deeply grateful to @sherrilynifill for what has been one the surrealist, most powerful moments of my life in this honor. Let’s just say her 10-year-old self is one lucky and happy kid today!