100 Women We Love: Class of 2009

Once again, we celebrate our favorite out and proud women. As difficult as it is to narrow it down to just 100, this year’s eclectic list includes artists, athletes, club promoters, community organizers, entertainers, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, politicians and plaintiffs, who are making a difference in our world and the world at large.

Debra Chasnoff

“I always wanted to make a difference. Making documentary films that open up dialogue about issues I care about deeply has been the path that’s worked for me,” says Debra Chasnoff. An Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker who has fueled progressive social-change movements in many fields, Chasnoff is the Executive Director of GroundSpark, a national social justice filmmaking and education organization based in San Francisco. Her landmark film, It’s Elementary – Talking About Gay Issues in School, is hailed as a “model of intelligent directing” by International Documentary, and has led to profound changes in adults’ attitudes on how to talk to children about LGBT
people. Chasnofff has directed and produced many other groundbreaking films, including Choosing Children, and One Wedding and a Revolution, which chronicles the days leading up to the decision of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to start issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. She serves on the national advisory board of Frameline and Jewish Voices for Peace. -KD

Remember, these are in no particular order because we love them all!


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