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.
Donna Hitchens
Founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and a respected San Francisco Superior Court Judge, Donna Hitchens retired last fall from a three-decade-long legal career. After being elected to the San Francisco Superior Court in 1990, Hitchens spent the next 20 years presiding over cases involving divorce, adoption, child abuse, child support and domestic violence among others. She has worked tirelessly to provide legal access to low-income families and children, and implement a mandatory training program and peer review procedure for juvenile court attorneys to ensure delivery of the best services. “I have always been inspired by the courage and tenacity of others who have, at great personal sacrifice, stood up to injustice,” says Hitchens. “It seemed the least I could do was to use my training and skills to contribute to a more just society.” She has received the Benjamin Aranda Access to Justice Award, the California State Bar’s Judicial Officer of the Year Award, and many more honors. In her retirement Judge Hitchens will occasionally sit in for absent San Francisco Superior Court judges, but plans to spend most of her time with her wife and family. –DP
