100 Women We Love

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.

Dawn & Jen BarbouRoske

After more than eighteen years together, Dawn and Jen BarbouRoske of Iowa City are finally able to plan their wedding. Two of the plaintiffs in the landmark case in Iowa that resulted in the legalization of same-sex marriage in that state, the BarbouRoskes have two daughters, ages seven and 11. Eight years ago, they began a playgroup for LGBT families called Proud Families, to provide their children with peers they could relate to as well as create social opportunities for the parents. There are currently over thirty families in the group. “Dawn and I are overjoyed to be able to get married,” Jen says of their upcoming July nuptials.
“It means so much to us that after eighteen years of being emotionally married, we are finally able to put that legal commitment in place. Our kids love to tell people that their moms are getting married this summer.” -CB

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

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