100 Women We Love, Queer Women We Love, Wonder Women

100 Women We Love 2011

June 17, 2011

Corina Maritescu, Dulci Pitagora, Kat Long, Sharyn Jackson

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.

Francine Beppu

Hawaii native and New York University alumna Francine Beppu is one of six women who join franchise veteran Whitney Mixter as a cast member of The Real L Word’s second season on Showtime. Beppu’s ex-girlfriend, Claire, is moving to L.A and joining the show’s cast, and Beppu struggles to come out to her traditional Japanese mother. “Coming out has been the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do,” she says, but she perseveres in telling her story because “in our technology-driven, modernized world, it’s mind-boggling how backwards we are in treating people with respect and granting everyone equal rights, especially when the issue at hand is love.” In her professional life, Beppu is the Co-Founder and Director of Business Development of NamiWave and NamiWave Media, an entertainment business development company based in Los Angeles. –CM