100 Women We Love

100 Women We Love 2011

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The 100 Women We Love – out artists, elected officials, business leaders, athletes, community activists – are role models for us all. Many are up-and-coming movers and shakers; some are at the zenith of their careers. Some of their achievements change our world and, just as importantly, others improve the world’s perception of out women. They all strive tirelessly to increase our visibility and continue our incredible progress toward equality and justice.

We proudly present the class of 2011, in random order, so each gets her well-deserved turn in the spotlight.

Alyssa Veil

We wish we’d had a high school pal like Alyssa Veil. The 18-year-old senior at The Blake School in Minneapolis is already a nationally recognized advocate for LGBT rights: The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force awarded Veil its 2011 Paul A. Anderson Award for Youth Leadership at its recent Creating Change Conference. A frequent speaker for LGBT safety in schools, the persuasive activist convinced LGBT donors to fund a Safe Schools for All petition drive, which Veil then presented to government leaders. “Often, it feels like the extra hours of work [for LGBT equality] are done completely alone. However, when [activists] put our efforts together at events and rallies, the passion behind it all becomes shared. This sensation is exactly what fuels my work,” Veil says. She currently interns with OutFront Minnesota, the statewide LGBT advocacy organization, while lettering in five Varsity sports (including ice hockey), and will continue her hockey career at Williams College this fall. –KL

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