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.
Jill Jackson
With her origins in Scotland but her heart firmly in Nashville, U.S.A., singer-songwriter Jill Jackson fronted the rock band Speedway before going it alone with a repertoire influenced by her idols—Dolly Parton, Shelby Lynn, the Stones and Joni Mitchell. A solo artist since 2005, Jackson spent the latter half of 2008 on a whirlwind “50 States in 50 Days” tour before returning to play some of the U.K.’s biggest annual music festivals. This year she released Back to Zero, an album of emotional self-penned tracks, and launched a British tour with lesbian actress/musician Heather Peace. “The most rewarding part of my work is when I write a song that is so personal, and then perform it in front of hundreds of people—and it connects,” says this live-show vet. “Even if just one person comes to you at the end of a gig and says ‘I felt like you’d written that about my life,’ you know you’re doing something right and people are touched by your music. I love that.” –KL
