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.
Grace Newman
Grace Newman (left, with wife Maria Doyle) founded the women-only resort The Highlands Inn with her then-partner in July 1983. Built on the site of 200-year-old one-time dairy farm and former inn in rural Bethlehem, NH, Newman renovated the property to create a relaxing country sanctuary for women. Now the sole owner, Newman has been an enthusiastic host to numerous commitment ceremonies at the Inn since 1985; the Highlands Inn began celebrating weddings in 2010 with New Hampshire’s legalization of same-gender marriage. “I think that our 27 years here has helped to increase acceptance from local residents. I’d like to think this has had a ripple effect and made things better for the local gay community,” she says. -CB
