100 Women We Love, Queer Women We Love, Wonder Women

100 Women We Love 2012

June 15, 2012
“Knowing that my election showed Charlotteans and the world that we are not bound by discrimination wakes me every morning with pride,” proclaims LaWana Mayfield, the City Council representative for District 3 in Charlotte, NC, and the city’s first openly gay elected official. Last November, she trounced her Republican opponent in the council election with 78 percent of the vote, replacing an eight-year incumbent. Now, continuously building on her 15 years of activism, her other leadership posts include the Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee, Mecklenburg County Development Corp. Board, Smart Start Board and the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund Board of Advisors. Prior to the election, Mayfield took an active role in LGBT activism as the Human Rights Campaign’s Diversity Co-Chair. “I believe that my role, along with growing the City of Charlotte, is to open the door for LGBTQ dialogue and to create pathways to service. I have this amazing opportunity to help direct the growth of the City of Charlotte through my vote,” Mayfield says. “I am right where I am supposed to be, and I love my job!”

Drum roll, please! We’re excited to present this year’s 100 Women We Love—our most diverse group of out entertainers, artists, athletes, activists, business principals and elected officials yet. Each of these women is a superstar in her own right. Their achievements and contributions shape our lives —and elevate us in the eyes of the world . They’re working to raise LGBT awareness, increase our visibility and quicken our progress toward a just society.

We are extremely proud to present the class of 2012. There are no rankings or numbers. They are all leaders.

Tisha Floratos
Tisha Floratos gets paid to travel the world in search of the hottest lesbian resorts and cruise ports—try to contain your jealousy. She’s the Cruise Director and Vice President of Travel and Business Operations for Olivia Travel, the oldest and largest lesbian leisure company in the world, where she scouts new destinations and oversees every aspect of the business. “The day I met Judy Dlugacz, Olivia’s founder and president, I was immediately drawn to Olivia’s mission—which is to create greater visibility for lesbians and build a community through our vacations.” Floratos joined Olivia a decade ago after a stint as a producer for the TV show Extra; now, instead of wrangling celebrities, she contributes to the indelible memories made by thousands of lesbians—and provides a safe, welcoming environment where travelers can be themselves. She takes particular pleasure in the variety of Olivia’s clientele. “As a Latina, I’m proud of how we are reaching so many more women of color. Our trips are truly diverse—with women of all ethnicities, ages and backgrounds from all over the world,” Floratos says. “I love to see how Olivia changes women’s lives and creates lifelong connections. The Olivia experience is truly indescribable.”

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