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.
Morgan Meneses-Sheets
Morgan Meneses-Sheets has been an outspoken advocate for LGBT equality, reproductive health, environmental protection and affordable health care for the past 12 years. As executive director of Equality Maryland, she helped shepherd marriage equality and gender identity anti-discrimination bills forward in the Maryland legislature. She is currently serving as the director of development for Pride at Work, an organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender union members and allies dedicated to educating and mobilizing in support of workers’ rights and equality. “This is not just about ensuring that the love and commitment my wife and I share is honored, or that our transgender friends are judged on the merit of their work…this is about the future of my daughter,” says Meneses-Sheets. “It connects me to every family that simply wants the same rights and protections for their child, to every transgender person who exhibits incredible bravery in being who they are, and to every working family and jobless worker who simply wants safety and fairness on the job so they can support their families with dignity.” Meneses-Sheets lives outside of Baltimore with her wife, daughter and two pugs. –DP
