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.
Margaret Witt
Throughout her 18-year career in the Air Force, Major Margaret Witt had a spotless record. She was awarded an Air Medal endorsed by President George W. Bush for providing outstanding medical care in the Middle East, and in 2003 she received a medal for saving the life of a Defense Department employee. The following year, she was placed on unpaid leave due to alleged homosexual conduct and two years later was formally dismissed. For seven years, Witt and the ACLU of Washington fought a legal battle resulting in the landmark ruling known as “the Witt standard,” which states that before a soldier could be discharged under DADT, the government had to prove the individual’s conduct hurt morale. In May 2011, Witt was finally awarded full retirement benefits and the unlawful discharge was removed from her record. “It has been my honor to fight for the freedom of all to serve, and to have been a part of such a momentous court battle with the ACLU and finally the long-awaited repeal of DADT,” she said. Witt is pursuing her Ph.D. while working as Rehab Coordinator at the Veterans Administration hospital in Spokane, WA. –DP
