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.

Rebecca Voelkel
When anti-gay religious leaders grab headlines, Rev. Rebecca Voelkel is there to counteract the messages of hate. The ordained minister in the United Church of Christ has enjoyed a long career blending spiritual teaching with progressive activism. Currently, Voelkel is the director of the Institute for Welcoming Resources and Faith Work, a program of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. She previously served as the Interim National Coordinator for the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns. Widely published in religious and mainstream journals and sought as a leader for faith-based social justice workshops, Voelkel argues that “there is a deep, spiritual wisdom in the queer community. I don’t necessarily think it is inherent. Instead, I think there is something transformative about coming to claim and celebrate what G-d, Creator, Spirit has done in you. Especially in the face of familial, religious community and societal rejection, such claiming is powerful.” In addition to her IWR job, Voelkel is working towards a Doctor of Ministry at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.

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