Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland's journey to the top of the ballet world is, by all accounts, quite remarkable. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in San Pedro, California, her early life was a whirlwind of movement, though not always the graceful kind. She only began ballet at the relatively ancient age of 13, practically a senior citizen in the dance world, yet she quickly proved herself a prodigy.

Her ascent wasn't just about talent; it was a defiant plié against convention. Ballet, traditionally a bastion of waif-like, lily-white dancers, probably didn't see someone with Copeland's physique and skin tone coming. But come she did, with an athletic grace that shattered expectations and, presumably, a lot of glass slippers along the way.

While her heritage isn't one we're familiar with, her relentless pursuit of excellence and her refusal to be confined by outdated notions of what a prima ballerina should look like certainly makes one kvell. She's inspired countless young dancers, proving that a leotard and a dream can take you anywhere, even if you don't fit the mold.

So, while we can't claim her for the tribe, we can certainly appreciate the sheer chutzpah of a woman who danced her way into the history books, proving that true artistry, like a good challah, comes in all shapes and sizes.