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.
Katie Miller
After two years of undergraduate studies at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Katie Miller ranked in the top 1% of the Corps of Cadets and received the Superintendent’s Award for Excellence. Last August, Miller made the difficult decision to resign from the Academy due to the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, then in effect. After escorting Lady Gaga to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, she appeared on The Rachel Maddow Show, Anderson Cooper 360, Hardball with Chris Matthews and ESPN’s Outside the Lines to advocate for DADT’s repeal. “Military service is a great opportunity and honor, and there is no reason why America’s best and brightest should ever be barred or even remotely deterred from it because of discriminatory policies,” says Miller. “Building bridges between the two communities is my goal for the future.” Miller is a spokesperson for OutServe, a network of actively serving LGBT servicemembers, and studies political science on a Point Foundation Scholarship at Yale University, where she’s the captain of the Yale women’s rugby team. She hopes to rejoin the military upon graduation. –DP
