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.
Margarethe Cammermeyer
On the historic day in December 2010 when President Obama signed the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” into law, Margarethe Cammermeyer led the ceremony attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. That pledge is something the retired Army Colonel and nurse takes very seriously. She served in the military for 31 years, having fought a discharge in 1992 after it was revealed that she was a lesbian. She was reinstated two years later, a saga that became famous in the 1995 film adaptation of her autobiography Serving in Silence, starring Glenn Close. Cammermeyer had a concurrent career as a nurse in the military, then in VA hospitals, and later at an adult family home, where she has worked to improve the lives of others. “Likewise I have spent the past 21 years for gay and lesbian service members to be acknowledged for their contributions,” she says. “There is no greater validation of our humanity than to be able to live our truth. I hope to have lived by example that others may be free, and that the Liberty and Justice for all in our Pledge of Allegiance does apply to all.” –SJ
