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

100 Women We Love 2012

June 15, 2012 Destiny Dejesus

“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.

Rebekkah Brunson
Based in San Diego, professional basketball player Rebekkah Brunson plays for the Minnesota Lynx, the reigning WNBA champions. For many years, she has been a member of the USA National Team and is currently an alternate for the Olympic Team. Now in her ninth WNBA season, Brunson is trying for her second championship with the Lynx and the third in her career. Before joining the Lynx, the 6’2” forward and three-time WNBA All-Star spent six seasons with the Sacramento Monarchs after being a first-round 2004 draft pick. Brunson helped the Monarchs win the WNBA Championship in 2005. Two years later, she led the league in offensive rebounds per game and total offensive rebounds. It’s no surprise that Brunson was a superstar before going pro. A D.C. native, she was Georgetown University’s all-time leading rebounder, also ranking second in alltime career points. In Minnesota, her winning streak continues, with her average points per game at an all-time high and the Lynx currently leading the Western Conference. Last June the WNBA named her Player of the Month. Like a true champion, she sees selfacceptance and a winning attitude as paramount to success. “Anything is possible, including acceptance for who you are or who you are becoming,“ Brunson says. “Be proud and know that there are people who have been where you are and have overcome similar obstacles to be where they now stand.”