sites in India on their behalf. Activism Lakshmi is known as an advocate for immigrant rights, the independent restaurant industry and women's rights. Lakshmi is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ambassador for immigration and women's rights. She has also been a critic of skin-lightening creams that are marketed to people of color. She has also spoken about the colorism she has experienced while living in India and the United States. Lakshmi was appointed United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador on March 7, 2019. "My main mission as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador is to shine a spotlight on the fact that inequality can affect people in rich and poor countries alike. Many nations have greatly reduced poverty, but inequality has proved more stubborn," said Lakshmi. "Inequality is further compounded by gender, age, ethnicity, and race. It especially affects women, minorities, and others who face unimaginable discrimination in the societies in which they live." In December 2021, she received the Advocate of the Year Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA). In October 2022, Lakshmi was honored at the 20th edition of the ACLU's Sing Out For Freedom benefit concert along with Patti Smith and Shaina Taub. Selected filmography See also Indians in the New York City metropolitan region New Yorkers in journalism References External links 1970 births American actresses of Indian descent American cookbook writers American female models of Indian descent American people of Indian Tamil descent American women non-fiction writers American women writers of Indian descent American film actresses American television actresses Actresses in Hindi cinema American expatriate actresses in India Clark University alumni Indian emigrants to the United States Living people The New Yorker people Participants in American reality television series Top Chef Women cookbook writers Women food writers Writers from Chennai Writers from New York City Multilingual writers Food writers Cookbook writers