100 Women We Love

100 Women We Love 2011

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The 100 Women We Love – out artists, elected officials, business leaders, athletes, community activists – are role models for us all. Many are up-and-coming movers and shakers; some are at the zenith of their careers. Some of their achievements change our world and, just as importantly, others improve the world’s perception of out women. They all strive tirelessly to increase our visibility and continue our incredible progress toward equality and justice.

We proudly present the class of 2011, in random order, so each gets her well-deserved turn in the spotlight.

AMBER HOLLIBAUGH

Renowned artist and community organizer Amber Hollibaugh founded and is the Interim Executive Director of Queers for Economic Justice, a group that works against poverty and promotes sexual and gender equality. Her illustrious career includes executive positions at Elder & LBTI Women’s Services at Howard Brown Health Center in Chicago, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, SAGE, Gay Men’s Health Crisis and other organizations. “I hope that my life and my work can explode the invisibility of queer women from backgrounds like my own—high femme, dirt-poor, mixed-race, former sex worker/passionate social justice activist—so that they are valued and welcomed in our communities,” Hollibaugh says. She was honored with the Dr. Susan B. Love award for outstanding achievement in women’s health and is the author of My Dangerous Desires—A Queer Girl Dreaming Her Way Home. She also directed and co-produced The Heart of the Matter, a documentary film focusing on women’s sexuality, denial and risk for HIV and AIDS, which won the 1994 Sundance Film Festival Freedom of Expression award and premiered on PBS’s prestigious POV film series. –DP

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