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.
Alice J. Muniz
Alice J. Muniz is the president of the New York City Police Department’s Gay Officers Action League. GOAL serves as both an advocacy group for LGBT officers and as a line of communication between the Police Department and the LGBT community in general. A member of the police force since 1995, Muniz was promoted to Detective in 2006. She fought to secure benefits for her daughter after she realized her new union did not cover the children of domestic partners, a policy that was changed in 2007 thanks to her efforts. She says, “I will continue to give myself tirelessly to the LGBT community. I do what I do, not for myself, but for those who cannot. At the end of the day when I go home, I realize I love my job, it allows me to be who I am, and help others. What more can I ask for?” -CB
