Out magazine just published their second annual list of “The Power 50: The Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America,” which means it’s time for my second annual list of The Most Powerful Lesbian Moms in America.
The definition of “power” is subjective, of course. For the purposes of this list, I considered it to mean someone who is known by a large cross-section of the population, within or outside the lesbian community, is at or near the top of her chosen profession, or who is in some other way a well-known personality and long-time influencer. I aimed for inclusion rather than exclusion, but tried to pick those whose impact in their fields or in the world at large is widespread and lasting.
I’m including the names of partners, even if one person is not as well known, in order to acknowledge the contributions of both people to their households and to each others’ achievements. (I may have missed a few partners, however, if their names are not public, and I was not able to find last names and professions for a few others.)
Out only has 14 women on their list, one more than last year, so I’m hoping my suggestions may help them find a better balance. If I can come up with the names of 46 powerful people who are not only lesbians but also moms (a few less if we omit less-known partners), surely Out can add some more lesbians to its Power 50. Out gave more weight to political clout in all its picks, whereas I looked at overall clout, political or professional. But still, I can’t believe the balance is so skewed.
I’ll also add that we must each define success for ourselves. It may mean choosing to stay home with one’s children, or to forgo career advancement for the sake of one’s family. For those who strive to achieve in both career and family, however, these moms are inspirational.
Of course, the thing about motherhood is that your kids always think you’re the most powerful mom(s) in the world, and it’s their opinions that really matter.
In alphabetic, not rank, order by last name of the generally more well-known partner:
- Susan Arnold, vice chair and president of global business units at Proctor & Gamble, and Diana Salter (profession unknown)
- Amanda Bearse, actor and director
- Elizabeth Birch, LGBT-rights advocate and former head of HRC
- Lisa Brummel, senior vice president for human resources, Microsoft
- Beth Callaghan, co-founder of Our Chart; director of Web operations, for technology site All Things D, and former editor-in-chief of PlanetOut
- Greta Cammermeyer, Colonel, Washington National Guard (ret.) and LGBT-rights activist, and Diane Divelbess, artist
- Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of The L Word
- Debra Chasnoff, Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker
- Mary Cheney, public relations executive, political campaigner, and vice-presidential daughter, and Heather Poe, former U.S. Park Ranger
- Cat Cora, “Iron Chef,” and Jennifer (last name and profession unknown)
- Judy Dlugacz, founder and president of Olivia, and Rachel (last name and profession unknown)
- Karla Drenner, Georgia State Representative
- Amy Errett, entrepreneur-in-residence, Trinity Ventures, former CEO of Olivia, former chief asset gathering officer, E*Trade, and Clare (last name and profession unknown)
- Melissa Etheridge, musician, and Tammy Lynn Etheridge née Michaels, actor
- Jodie Foster, actor, and Cydney Bernard, film producer (I’m adding their names with the caveat that it is debatable whether Foster’s thanking of “my beautiful Cydney” during a speech in December was meant as a coming out. Their children bear both their names, however, which to me is indicative enough to warrant their inclusion here.)
- Jenny Fulle, executive vice president of production and executive producer of Sony Pictures Imageworks, and pioneer in opening up Little League to girls
- Sara Gilbert, actor, and Alison Adler, TV producer
- Judy Gold, stand-up comedian and two-time Emmy Award-winning writer and producer of The Rosie O’Donnell Show
- Lisa Henderson, general manager, Olivia, and partner (name and profession unknown)
- Nina Jacobson, film producer, currently at DreamWorks SKG, and formerly president of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group
- Cheryl Jacques, administrative judge for the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents, former head of HRC, and former Massachusetts State Senator, and Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council
- Jolie Justus, Missouri state senator
- Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Sandy Holmes (profession unknown)
- Honey Labrador, designer, television personality, and former model
- Annie Leibowitz, photographer
- Dr. Susan Love, president and medical director of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, and leader of the breast cancer advocacy movement
- Cynthia Nixon, actor, and Christine Marinoni, education activist
- Rosie O’Donnell, actor and television personality, and Kelli O’Donnell, founder of R Family Vacations and former Nickelodeon marketing executive
- Hilary Rosen, president of Our Chart, political commentator, and former head of the Recording Industry of America (RIAA)
- E. Denise Simmons, mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Mattie Hayes
- Kara Swisher, Wall Street Journal columnist, co-executive editor of technology site All Things D, and Megan Smith, vice president of new business development at Google
- Sheryl Swoopes, professional basketball player and three-time Olympic gold medalist, and Alisa Scott, former basketball player and coach
- Linda Villarosa, author, journalist, public speaker, former editor of the New York Times and former executive editor of Essence Magazine, and Jana Welch, marketing executive
Anyone I missed? Can you help fill in gaps in the information (partners’ names and/or professions, if public)? Leave a comment (with a link to your source, if possible).
I know I’m drifting a bit from the gist of your post, Dana, but I think it says something that there are no trans people on Out.com’s list. The list’s title tells me that perhaps no trans people were considered? The implication, however–that there are no powerful trans people in America, at least as Out.com defines powerful–is probably true, and unfortunately so.
Okay…enough soapboxing. =)
She isn’t a mom, but it galls me every year — why on earth isn’t Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin on the Out list?
Nothing against Sheila Kuehl, whom I admire very much, but even the California state legislature isn’t comparable to the United States Congress. Furthermore, Baldwin is the only person ever elected to Congress already out.
I agree with both of your points, Liza and Allyson. Baldwin should definitely be on the Out list, IMHO. And Donna Rose comes to mind as a powerful trans person. (She’s a parent, too, btw–but based on things she’s written, her son, whom she had before transitioning, has called her both “dad” and sometimes “mother.” She’s also rejected labels of sexual orientation. I therefore didn’t put her on my “lesbian mom” list, since I didn’t know if she’d be happy being pinned down as such. I’d be glad to add her if I found out she wanted to be on it, though. I realize these definitions can be fluid.)
I considered making my list a comprehensive “Powerful LGBT Parents” list, but thought that would stretch my knowledge too thin. I decided to stick with what I know best. Out, however, with their large staff, has no excuse for not being more inclusive.
Great points, both of you!
Great list!
As a corporate lesbian, step-mother of three and lesbian grandma in my own right, you might consider contacting the various GLBT employee groups about lesbian moms with professional clout. In my experience those who have worked within the corporations to have non-discrimination policies expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity, domestic partner benefits instituted, recruiting, pension policies and corporate scholarship programs changed, are often lesbians with families. Lesbians are much more likely to have children than gay men. By the time we’ve developed professional clout, our kids are grown and married or finishing college.
As the former head of Merrill Lynch’s LGBT employee group, I agree that lesbian moms are certainly an important segment of those pushing for corporate change. For the purposes of this list, however, I’m not just looking for those who may have helped enact LGBT-friendly policies within one organization, but rather those who have made their mark on an industry, whether by their leadership in the area of LGBT rights, or simply by their expertise in another chosen field.
Maybe this means I need to be thinking about another list of “Lesbian Mom Heros,” who may not have the widespread recognition and clout of those on the “Power” list, but have made a significant impact on a smaller scale.
I also agree that for many of us, professional clout comes after motherhood–but interestingly, many of the moms on my list still have pre-teen children. (How do they do it?)
I am certainly no expert, but I would expect to see Dana Rudolph on this list.
Just wanted to point out that Melissa’s wife goes by Tammy Lynn Etheridge.
Oh, you’re right, Lee. Correction made.
(And thanks, Uncle Roger. I don’t see myself in quite the same category, but I appreciate the thought!)
“Maybe this means I need to be thinking about another list of “Lesbian Mom Heros,” who may not have the widespread recognition and clout of those on the “Power” list, but have made a significant impact on a smaller scale.
I also agree that for many of us, professional clout comes after motherhood—but interestingly, many of the moms on my list still have pre-teen children. (How do they do it?)”
I raised 2 young boys with their father and after his death the same 2 boys as teens with my partner now. We are raising our granddaughter now and we both are still working full time. In my opinion, it is a lot easier to raise children with 2 women than a man and a woman. Mom’s do what mom’s gotta do to protect and raise thier children.