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.
Jan Thompson
Jan Thompson embodies the classic New York lifestyle: a blend of professional ambition, political activism and creative expression. As a digital project manager at the international advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather, Thompson oversees online campaigns—you’ve probably clicked on some of her work. “Yes, I’m a ‘mad woman,’” she laughs. “I enjoy overseeing the whole creative process, and working with the technologists that make it come to life.” From 2002 to 2004 Thompson co-chaired Marriage Equality NY to convince the state to legalize same-gender marriage, which she believes is the best path toward full equality. An accomplished singer, Thompson is also member of Stonewall Chorale, the nation’s first LGBT choir. “I had packed away the part of myself that loved to perform” while developing her career, she says. “It is such a joy to let my voice be heard after all these years. I love the people in the choir, especially our music director, Cynthia Powell. She’s a task master when needed, but makes the whole experience very entertaining.” –KL
