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.

Aisha & Danielle Moodie-Mills

After a six-year courtship, Aisha (left) and Danielle Moodie-Mills became one of the first same-sex couples in Washington D.C. to apply for a marriage license in March 2010. Their glamorous wedding that August was the first lesbian nuptials featured in Essence.com’s acclaimed Bridal Bliss column. The article garnered an incredible amount of attention, and ultimately won the 2011 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Digital Journalism– Multimedia. “We hope that by living honestly, loving openly and laboring together in our passions we will ultimately help to create an equitable society that celebrates diversity in all its forms,” says Danielle. Over the past decade, Aisha has served as a political advisor, private-sector liaison and fundraiser to more than 40 members of Congress, including six senators and the Congressional Black Caucus. Danielle Moodie-Mills previously served as an aide to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, and currently works for the National Wildlife Federation. Prior to their nuptials, the couple served as the key spokespersons for the campaign that brought marriage equality to the District of Columbia; and since their wedding have launched FIRE (Fighting Injustice to Reach Equality), a policy initiative at the Center for American Progress focusing on the intersection of race, economics and sexual orientation; and launched threeLOL.com, a blog serving “politics and pop culture, up with a twist.” –DP

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