100 Women We Love 2011

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.

ROBERTA ACHTENBERG

Appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights by President Obama, Roberta Achtenberg works to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin, are offered equal protection by the law. And the work hits close to home for this civil rights attorney, businesswoman and former executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights: In 1993, when President Clinton nominated her to be Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, she became our first openly lesbian or gay federal official to be confirmed by the Senate for such a high-level position. With more than 30 years of senior-level leadership experience, Achtenberg considers advancing gay rights as paramount to her career. “My work in the LGBT community has been, and will continue to be, the most rewarding of my lifetime,” she says. “We’ve had enormous successes in the last 30 years but there’s still much more to do, and I’m eager to join the community’s young leaders in continuing that work.” –SJ


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