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.
Mary Washington
Longtime feminist, environmentalist, LGBT rights activist and community organizer, Maryland Delegate Mary Washington found her calling in the realm of politics and social change movements while registering voters for the Rainbow Coalition’s Freedom Summer campaign in 1984. A self-proclaimed city girl, Washington grew up in Philadelphia before earning her Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She taught Sociology for five years at Lehigh University before returning to Charm City to build a career focused on urban environmental education and on improving the quality of life of city neighborhoods. In January 2011 she was elected to represent Baltimore in the state’s House of Delegates. As the first openly gay African-American delegate in Maryland, she’s already a leading voice in the state’s legislative battles over marriage equality and ending discrimination based on gender identity. “Representing this district gives me a remarkable chance to help bring people from very different walks of life together to solve city problems,” Washington says. “It is an honor to be able to serve this diverse district and to strive to build a community that works for all of us.” Washington is especially proud to have been named Honorary Grand Marshall of Baltimore’s Pride Parade this year. –DP
