By Shaundra Selvaggi

In honour of Sway’s All-Woman Issue, on newsstands right now, swaymag.ca takes a look at black women of influence – past and present.  Who is this woman?

• Born June 9, 1964, in Toronto
• Studied music technique and theory, ballet and jazz at the Canadian Royal Conservatory
• Crowned Miss Black Ontario in 1986
• Best known for her role on the medical drama ER as an HIV-infected physician assistant
• In 1996, she was chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world.
• In 2000, she left acting to join Tina Turner on her Twenty Four Seven Tour
• On World AIDS Day in 2005, she was the keynote speaker at the first Black Women’s Conference on HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles.
• An avid supporter for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Planned Parenthood, and ANSA (Artists for a new South Africa.)

She is Gloria Reuben!