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.

Jill Jackson

With her origins in Scotland but her heart firmly in Nashville, U.S.A., singer-songwriter Jill Jackson fronted the rock band Speedway before going it alone with a repertoire influenced by her idols—Dolly Parton, Shelby Lynn, the Stones and Joni Mitchell. A solo artist since 2005, Jackson spent the latter half of 2008 on a whirlwind “50 States in 50 Days” tour before returning to play some of the U.K.’s biggest annual music festivals. This year she released Back to Zero, an album of emotional self-penned tracks, and launched a British tour with lesbian actress/musician Heather Peace. “The most rewarding part of my work is when I write a song that is so personal, and then perform it in front of hundreds of people—and it connects,” says this live-show vet. “Even if just one person comes to you at the end of a gig and says ‘I felt like you’d written that about my life,’ you know you’re doing something right and people are touched by your music. I love that.” –KL

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