6. Alice Waters, chef and food activist

When Alice Waters opened [her Berkeley, California, restaurant] Chez Panisse, locally grown, seasonal food was not the norm. So much of the way that I approach eating and cooking is because of her.

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7. Julia Roberts, actress

She was the first person I saw onscreen and thought, That looks like so much fun; I wanna do that. When I was younger, someone once told me, “You kind of look like Julia Roberts in profile.” It was the best compliment of all time.

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8. Toni Morrison, novelist

In college I took a class on the works of Toni Morrison. The first time I read The Bluest Eye, I thought, Wow! She creates this world for you that you get to feel a part of.

Photo courtesy of subject

9. Suhani Jalota, Entrepreneur

Suhani, whom I met at Glamour’s 2016 College Women of the Year awards luncheon awards luncheon, started Myna Mahila Foundation [a network of women who make and sell sanitary products in India]. I’m incredibly moved by someone who is so eager to help change the lives of others, especially women.

Photo courtesy of Markle's Instagram

10. Doria Ragland, my mother

My mom's a yoga instructor, but she does social work, as well, and she works specifically with the geriatric community. For me to watch this level of life-long sensitivity to nurturing and caregiving, but at the same time my mom has always been a free spirit. She's got dread locks and a nose ring. She just ran the LA Marathon. We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I'll still find so much solace in her support. That duality coexists the same way it would in a best friend.