100 Women We Love 2011
It’s been a whirlwind year for Chely Wright. The award-winning country artist and songwriter stunned the conservative country music world by coming out in 2010, a difficult and life-changing decision she detailed in her 2011 autobiography, Like Me. She also released her critically-acclaimed seventh album, Lifted Off the Ground, a tour-de-force more than five emotionally-grueling years in the making. The documentary film, Wish Me Away, chronicles her journey from preparation to aftermath of her decision to come out to Nashville, her hometown, and within the LGBT community, will make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival this summer. Her soul-searching, however, has been worth it: The newly-minted LGBT role model serves as the national spokesperson for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and speaks out against school bullying. Wright believes “that to whom much is given, much is required. I have lived a very blessed life and I know what it feels like to achieve goals. I want to do my part in helping others have as many opportunities to have milestones in their lives too.” –KL
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.
Aisha & Danielle Moodie-Mills
After a six-year courtship, Aisha (left) and Danielle Moodie-Mills became one of the first same-sex couples in Washington D.C. to apply for a marriage license in March 2010. Their glamorous wedding that August was the first lesbian nuptials featured in Essence.com’s acclaimed Bridal Bliss column. The article garnered an incredible amount of attention, and ultimately won the 2011 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Digital Journalism– Multimedia. “We hope that by living honestly, loving openly and laboring together in our passions we will ultimately help to create an equitable society that celebrates diversity in all its forms,” says Danielle. Over the past decade, Aisha has served as a political advisor, private-sector liaison and fundraiser to more than 40 members of Congress, including six senators and the Congressional Black Caucus. Danielle Moodie-Mills previously served as an aide to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, and currently works for the National Wildlife Federation. Prior to their nuptials, the couple served as the key spokespersons for the campaign that brought marriage equality to the District of Columbia; and since their wedding have launched FIRE (Fighting Injustice to Reach Equality), a policy initiative at the Center for American Progress focusing on the intersection of race, economics and sexual orientation; and launched threeLOL.com, a blog serving “politics and pop culture, up with a twist.” –DP
