100 Women We Love Class of 2010
A Houston, Texas native, Annise Parker has remained close to her roots. She was sworn in as the 61st mayor of Houston in January, becoming only the second woman and first openly gay person to hold that office. She graduated from Rice University and worked for two decades in the oil and gas industry, with 18 of those years spent at the Houston-based Mosbacher Energy Company. For ten years, she co-owned Inklings, a Houston-based independent gay bookstore. Parker was involved in Houston politics for several years prior to becoming mayor, serving six years as a member of the City Council and one six-year term as Houston City Controller. -CB
As the first decade of the new millennium comes to an end, we take a moment to celebrate 100 out lesbians who have made the past year one of inspiring change and amazing progress.
Natalia Ramirez
“I want to share the beauty that I see within the lesbian community with the entire world,” claims makeup artist Natalia Ramirez, who is opening a “re-looking” studio and salon in Soho this summer. The salon doubles as an art gallery featuring the work of queer artists. This busy entrepreneur is founding a cosmetics line and a new company, Enter Pronoun, for launch later in 2010. “Enter Pronoun is more than a makeup concept – it is about self-discovery and rediscovery,” Ramirez explains. “I would like to become another role model for young queers by creating something they can relate to, and also provide a space that will inspire their own artistic talents. This is a revolutionary time for our culture, and I want to play my role to help these changes along.” -CB
