activism through music education. She was inspired to help public schools following the Columbine High School massacre. In 2000, she established the Reading, Writing and Rhythm non-profit organization. The program helps provide public schools with musical instruments and brings attention to the significance of music education. Wright holds a yearly concert for the organization in Nashville that has included numerous performers in its lineup. Musicians at previous events have included Jann Arden, Rodney Crowell, Taylor Swift and Tanya Tucker The concert has also helped raise significant amounts of money for the organization — in 2007 it raised $185,000. Since its inception, Reading, Writing and Rhythm has raised nearly one million dollars. "I'm so proud of this charity and the difference we've been able to make in so many young people's lives," she said in 2010. In 2002, Wright received the National Association for Music Education's "FAME Award" in recognition of her accomplishments. Wright has also been involved in working with military members and veterans. Following the September 11 attacks, she embarked on a USO tour performing for American troops in Iraq. She also met with servicemen in Germany and Kuwait. During the same period, she visited veterans and military servicemen recovering at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. In the early 2000s, also joined wounded and recovering troops at a private military service event hosted by former vice president, Dick Cheney. In 2003, she was named "Woman of the Year" by the American Legion Auxiliary She has also spoken out against the former American military policy, Don't ask, don't tell. In her 2010 memoir, Wright wrote that the law "made no sense" to her and that she believed policymakers at the time were wrong for accepting it. In addition, she stated she believes it was put into practice due to a misconception that LGBT people are more likely to be sexually promiscuous. In her book, Wright further explained her reasoning: "Homosexuality does not make a person promiscuous, perverted, unprofessional, or without judgment." She later spoke out about it again in 2010 with Entertainment Weekly. Wright commented that she was "angry" that former president George W. Bush and former vice president Cheney had not spoken out on the law. 2010–present: LGBT activism Wright became involved in LGBT activism following her decision to publicly come out in 2010. She received notable attention in the LGBT community with the