Synn, Ms. Texas Leather 2012, is a Southern Butch Leatherdyke who identifies as a Daddy, Service Top, and Switch. She first discovered Leather in 1996 and has been involved in the community since then. At the beginning of her journey, her work required her to travel extensively. As she visited many of America's larger cities, she began discovering opportunities to attend munches, meetings, and events which allowed her to receive training and mentorship from a variety of diverse perspectives within the Leather community.
An active player in the Dallas community, Synn is currently a member of Women in Leather-International, National Leather Association-International, and the Sharon St.Cyr Fund. Her favorite kink activities include (but are not limited to!) fire play, rope, edge play, and bondage. She frequently attends events in Texas and other states, and recently served as Head Judge for Mr. Dallas Eagle 2012. She is a steadfast activist for the Deaf and hard of hearing, working to promote the SSC fund and advocate for accessibility in private and public events. Synn is in a committed, open relationship and currently lives with her primary partner and their two goofy dogs and two bossy cats. She is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, and has been a professional chef for twenty-four years. She has been an Executive Chef for eighteen years, and currently works as a corporate chef and a professor of culinary arts in the Dallas area. Synn also provides catering services for local BDSM community organizations from small parties to large events.
Synn's Website-  http://www.synnful.com/

Sara Vibes was born and raised in New York City. She is a black, polyamorous, queer, kinky, dandy top heavy princess. Vibes is a musician, writer, sex blogger and educator in training and a star fucker.  She was abandoned in a hospital in the Bronx in the late 80’s weighing under two pounds and addicted to crack.  She was adopted by a white Jewish women with cerebral palsy  from Brooklyn and a black Christian man from Jersey with spina bifida who both passed before she was nine.  Vibes’ mother was a social worker and sex therapist who specialized in sex and disability.  Her book selections encouraged and influenced Vibes exploration into sex and sexuality. 
Vibes is an active member in BDSM and LGBT communities in New York City and beyond.
She is a founding member of Nina Hartley’s SexWise.me, a sex-positive online community, and worked as a curator and contributor of SexWise Magazine.  Vibes has been interviewed by Nerve magazine and appeared on Reid Mihalko’s “Queer, Poly, & Under 30″ panel at Dr. Carol Queen’s Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco.  She has taught with her partner Indigo at Playhouse in Baltimore and recently hosted “Sexxy Game Night” at Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire.  She will also be a contributor to Perverts of Color Anthology.
Vibes will be traveling to kink and poly events throughout the year and documenting her experiences on her blog and on her column on Fearless Press, an online magazine on sexuality, relationships, kink and more.  Her mission is to make sex education accessible to everyone.  She hopes to rip the veil off of the shame surrounding sex and sexuality through self love and exploration with people that care about each other. 

Mollena (Mo) Williams, ‘Delicate, Trembling Flower of Submission’ © is a NYC born and raised writer, actress, BDSM Educator and Executive Pervert.  She is extremely honored, humbled and proud to serve as Ms. San Francisco Leather 2009.  Active in BDSM since 1996, she speaks at Leather events across the US on many kinkcentric topics.  A founding member of Crowded Fire Theater Company, she blogs on http://mollena.com.  Mo is also author of the upcoming ‘Toybag Guide: Taboo Play’ and of the essay ‘BDSM and Playing with Race’ which appears in the ‘Best Sex Writing 2010’.  

2008 - It took me two years to get my first love, JJ, to stop looking and start touching.  At the tender age of 13 I was following her around, carrying her books, and calling her Daddy.  When JJ asked if she could tie me up, I enthusiastically agreed.  I have been bottoming ever since.  I have fucked in thirteen states and eleven countries including Pompeii and on a motorcycle.  In 2004 I married Daddy Wendell.  I really love his HUGE house.  I take care of our llama, sheep, goat, alpaca, dogs, cats, geese and chickens.  

2007 - Lauren is a poly-queer-switch and has been an active participant in the Leather and BDSM tribes for 12 years.  Born and raised in Buffalo NY, she spent 9 years in Colorado and now calls the desert around Phoenix Arizona her home.  Lauren’s both slave and Sir and flags gray, black, red and purple.  Her spirituality is present in everything she does from service to blood ritual.  Professionally she’s a Medical Massage Therapist and Reiki Master Teacher.  Lauren is honored to serve her community as the first and current Southwest Ms. Leather 2006.

2010 - After my step-down in 2008 I needed a couple years to get my bearings and to rediscover myself.  Much time has been spent in reflection, meditation, and spiritual growth.  Last year I started back to school on the long and challenging path of earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.  I’m so excited to be a student again, and I’m doing quite well academically.  In 2010, after an equally long hiatus from volunteer work I accepted team lead positions with the Dance of Souls, a ritual piercing event held at Southwest Leather Conference.  A lot of my work has been around piercing, be it flesh hooks, ball dances, or suspension…I love it all.  I’m also teaching and presenting again, locally for now, but maybe after school I’ll have more time to travel.  I still play hard, although not as often.  My computer, Mac B. Pro, is my boyfriend, and my motorcycle, Lucy, is my girlfriend (she’s a Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic.)  When I can get away from schoolwork, I enjoy time with lovers and friends, traveling to visit family, belly dancing, acrylic painting, and cuddling with my cat, Switch.  In May of 2011 I’ll be moving to San Francisco to continue school.   I can’t wait!

2006 - Sponsor: Flesh & Fantasy and The Dallas Eagle
Why do you want to be International Ms Leather?
For years, I have worked in the local leather community helping to promote education, understanding and responsibility. I have not had the opportunity to travel as much as I would have liked due to the fact I had a slave in college for the last few years. I feel strongly as a Mistress I have a responsibility to make certain my save will be able to support herself should something happen to me or should we decide to part ways. So many times in this lifestyle, slaves and submissives find themselves with nothing to fall back on should the Master/slave relationship come to an end. I chose to compete for the International Ms Leather title to help draw further attention to this very important issue.

2003 - Sponsored by: Kendra McClain/Great Lakes Leather Alliance
Why do you want to be IMsL?
The international recognition and reputation of the title would aide in many of my on-going projects and ideas.  Becoming IMsL 2003 would be a great benefit to my dreams of bringing fundraisers to a larger, more productive scale, thus allowing the beneficiaries to benefit much more greatly.  It would also bring me closer to fulfilling my goal of ‘building bridges’, between each of the sub-communities, which fall under the Leather title. (G.L.B.T.H.)

2001 - Sponsored by Pantheon of Leather and Dave Rhodes
Why do you want to be International Ms Leather?
A lady friend came to me after winning Ms. Georgia Olympus and said “Thank you for doing what we all wish we could.” For my sisters in leather who come to our community daily, carrying the same or worse baggage as I, I wish to pass on to them the hands and hearts of strength and wisdom, I am a survivor because these same gifts were given to me. I left the rape and anger behind, and beat the breast cancer, and I am still growing and learning, I would like to be the facilitator who helps our leather sisters see the commonalities and strengths instead of differences and problems.

2010 - Since my title year I have had the great honor of becoming Daddy's girl. I am part of a great family, They have supported me through a couple cancer recurrences and some life changing events here. I am very blessed to be Daddy Tobin's girl. I look forward to seeing everyone at IMsL.

2000 - Sponsored by Kim Wolf of Leatherwoman Productions
This title would allow me to give back to the leather community on a national level what was given to me freely.  Being a titleholder could open many doors and give me the visibility to effect change.  I also am doing this for myself, in that, I feel that it brings me full circle on my spiritual path.  

1999 - Sponsored by: Ms. SF Leather, Beth Downey, Uncle Bert’s Place & Worn Out West
I feel my experience and my knowledge of what has transpired in my own local community and in my travels to other communities has given me something to pass on to those who are interested in the leather movement, and to hopefully inspire others.

2010 - I remember attending the first IMsL contest back in 1987 in San Francisco.  It seems like yesterday, but here we are, about to celebrate 25 years. I’ve been a Leather woman for over 30 years. I can remember parking my motorcycle outside Scott’s Bar in San Francisco back in the very early 80’s and feeling like I had found my true calling. I won the title of Ms. Midwest Leather 1992 and went on to IMsL that same year where I placed 1st runner up. I won the title of Ms. SF Leather in 1999 and went on to earn the title of IMsL 99. During my year as IMsL I was able to assist in raising several thousand of dollars for various causes that included AEF (SF), LYRIC (SF), BCEF (SF) WALP  (Amsterdam) just to name a few. I was given the honor of judging numerous contests locally and nationally. I was honored to emcee SF Gay Pride’s main stage back in 2000. I was the first IMsL to travel outside of North American during my title year.  Participating in WALP (Women Amsterdam Leather Pride) was an opportunity to increase the visibility of IMsL as well as establish ongoing relationships with European leatherwomen to share information and support.
After 33 years, I’m still working in the construction field.  My most recent project involved the conversion of a coal-fired power plant to natural gas.  I volunteer with the American Red Cross, working in logistics and emergency response.  After a 5-year break from relationships, I hooked up with Shelley, an old flame from many years ago.  We bought a house together in Madison in July 2008 and registered as domestic partners in September 2009.  Co-parenting Shelley’s 11-year-old daughter Joanna can be challenging at times, but I enjoy teaching her everything from feminist history to how to operate a power drill.  We share our home with 3 cats (all strays) 3 fish (courtesy of the local fair) and our very loyal pit/greyhound mix dog (rescued).
My hope is that we all will see another 25 yrs. of IMsL. See you in April!

1998 - I want to be IMsL because: my leather is an essential part of my being.  Because I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the leatherwomen and leathermen who have educated me, supported me, carved paths before me.  Because I care about the future of our leathertribe.  Because as a titleholder, and as IMsL, if I am chosen, I can represent (on a greater scale than I could otherwise) the best of who we are: caring, loyal, honest , sensual, fun, dedicated, sincere, kinky people.  Because I thrive on the challenges life throws to me.  Because I want every kinky person to feel they belong, that they are essential to the future of our community.  Because, it would  be the best year of my life.

1997 - Sponsor: FLEX (Female Leather Exchange)
Why do you want to be International Ms Leather?
In this society in which we live, people are always willing to take but very seldom are truly willing to give back.  I feel that by entering this contest I am stepping up to the plate proclaiming that I am a leather woman worthy of this title.  In addition, I truly want to give of myself and my time to further contribute to the tradition and honor of this position.  I had the opportunity to watch my brother, Ron Moore, International Mr. Leather 1984 complete his commitment to the leather community.  I saw the pride and tenacity that he exhibited as he served the community during the year of his reign.  I have that same desire and individual commitment to represent this our Leather Community.  
  I also bring many positive qualities that will assist me in the completion of my reign.  I am friendly, outgoing, cordial and approachable.  People who do not know me, find me easy to talk with.  I manage people very well and when needed I am not afraid to take charge.  I have been a public servant for 14 years; therefore, I am not a stranger to diversity or adversity.  I have the ability to bring people together in a very non-threatening manner.  I am willing to listen to and consider opinions that differ from my own.  However, I do possess my own set of beliefs and opinions that are very deep seated.  
  Finally, I want to be one of the history makers and history tellers.  There have been a number of dedicated brothers and sisters in leather who have moved our leather culture into the forefront of society.  From the human struggles prior to the Stonewall revolution, to the current battles that are being waged in the legislatures, it’s now my time to raise the baton, to shout out my commitment and to step forward.

1996 - Jill Carter, International Ms. Leather ’96 has been active in the leather lifestyle for over 25 years.  She has been an officer or founding member of various organizations across the United States, (including Leather and Lace and The Lesbian Sex Mafia) a speaker or workshop presenter for Leather organizations and colleges, and is a frequent writer for The Leather Journal.  Jill is t herecipient of the Pantheon of Leather Woman of the year award 1988, Readers Choice Woman of the Year 1998, The N.L.A. International Order of (illegible) and the National Emerald Award from the State of Washington. [Ed. Note: This is Jill's judges bio from the 1998 contest.]

1995 - pat baillie recently retired from the Air Force and is enjoying being out and visible in the scene.  Coming out into leather in Phoenix, Arizona in 1979 with the Phoenix Leather and Levi Club, pat has been active in her kink and been on the edges of the leather scene for years.  She now brings all of her experience as a leader, a teacher and project manager into working with the leather community.  She holds the title of Ms LeatherMaster 1995 (which became Ms San Jose Leather 1995 just a few days before IMsL 1995.  She is proud to be in service as a boy and looks to expand her sevice to the larger community on the national level.

1994 - Sponsored by The Cuff and The Timberline
Washington State Ms Leather 1994 has as her top priorities her wife, her work and her community.  An attorney who has been into leather for five years, she has a long list of community accomplishments including being a volunteer attorney for peole with AIDS, serving on the Civil Rights and Minority Law Committees of the Washington State Bar, serving as a board member for the Pride Foundation, local Girl Scout Council and the Alice B. Theatre,  She is currently President of NLA: Seattle and is a member of IMsL.

2010 - Spencer Bergstedt is an attorney, author, speaker and part-time law professor in Seattle, WA. 

1994 - Oklahoma City, OK
Sponsored by Gushers Bar in the Habana Inn
Ms. Oklahoma Leather ’93 has engaged in SM behavior since she was a child and has always loved leather.  She is politically active, and is a certified by the Oklahoma Department of Health as an HIV counselor, tester and HIV/AIDS educator.  She has been a judge at the Mr. Oklahoma Leather for the last three years.  A shipping clerk, she was the recipient of the1993 Volunteer of the Year award from the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Awards.

2010 - Cindy Bookout has found and married her princess and is living happily ever after.

1993 - Sponsored by: Omaha Players’ Club
Ms. Leather Nebraska ’92, Lord of the Imperial Court of Nebraska, member of the NLA National Council, National Steering Committee for the March on Washington, and Queer Nation Nebraska. She has been on Pride Week Committees for seven years.  She is also co-founder and moderator of the Omaha Players, Club.  She also serves on local community organization boards as a Leather Community Liaison,  Her interest  are political activism, music body modification, painting, and SM education.

1992 - Ms. San Francisco Leather 1992, Blair was also first runner up as S.F. Dyke Daddy ’91-’92 and Ms. Cheeks & Chaps ’91 –’92. A clean and sober sports enthusiast, Blair volunteers her time, talents and energy to a variety of leather and other causes.  She has worked on the Shanti Project Auction, with 18th Street Services and Women’s Health Organizations and is assisting in coordination of and fundraising for the 1st African American Lesbian and Gay Conference.

2012 - Blair, the 6th IMsL, in now retired after a 30 year career working in-pt psychiatry at several facilities. He transitioned from female to male,beginning in 1997. He identifies as FTM,and chooses to have bigger fish to fry than obsess about gender,race,sexual identity,politics or religion.
"My life mission is to help facilitate healing within our Mother Earth...one blade of grass at a time, one animal at a time, and whatever humans I can help. For this process to work well,I must keep a constant healing vigil at my own bedside so to speak,taking extended leaves from modern society for prolonged time in the wilderness. If I don't keep myself in balance,then,my gifts are of no use to others. I remain proud to have been IMsL-1992, with such a wide array of talent. I will always consider my friends in the Leather community to be among the best...right up there!" Blair Kituhwa

1991 - Sponsored by: Manhole and Vortex, Chicago IL
A resident of Bloomington, Indiana, Kay holds the title of North Halsted Ms Leather, 1991. Recently separated from the military, she first came out as an SM dyke in 1983 at the Michigan Music Festival, though she considers her 20+ years of motorcycling to be a primary expression of her leather lifestyle.  She has bee involved with Indiana Cares (HIV/AIDS organization,) the American Uniform Association, and the Open Road Riders of Chicagoland.  When she is not caring for her 19 cats and 5 dogs she enjoys running, body building and rappelling.

1990 - Sponsor: Ms Southern California Leatherwoman, Inc.
Ms Southern California Leatherwoman 1989, Gabrielle is a clean and sober leatherwoman who has been involved in leather for 5 ½ years. Originally from Australia, Gabrielle ‘came out’ on national television there in 1972 and was an activist in several movements for women’s rights.  In America she has continued this tradition by working in the L.A. Centre for Living, Gay & Lesbian Comm. Serv, Ctr and organizing a new union for poor black and hyspanic women.  She is a member of Leather & Lace, Outcasts, Tridents Intl. and Threshold.  She spends her free time motorcycling, socializing and raising money for leather organizations.

2010 - Since 1990 my life has expanded exponentially. I think a lot about the issues I see in our community and how we use language to describe who we are and what we do. I have noticed that the grounded Master, Dominant, Top has no need to demand power, and the slave, submissive, bottom can be in charge of major events or companies without losing their ability to yield.
I am also still clean and sober since 1978, and think a lot about how teenagers are influenced by what adults do regarding substance use issues. They are influenced not just by the individuals they see, but also the adult world of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana advertising, what's on television and portrayals in the movies, availability in their neighborhood or on Spring Break or even in their own home. They listen to political debates and what the rich and famous do, and so the beat goes on. And I am inspired by the young people who do not follow, but think for themselves and become influential leaders themselves.
I teach and mentor, and I am teachable and have mentors. I love attending classes, workshops and conferences. I have my heroes and those who I respect. I also learn a lot from those who are relatively new to the scene - I love their enthusiasm and new-joy wisdom that comes with discovering a new aspect about oneself.
I am inspired by the progress we are making in the mainstream world, the DSMV, the respectful depiction in television series, and some amazing photo shoots in magazines. I love Madonna, I love Billy Idol, I love fashion - I am a glamour butch - come to IMsL and you'll see. I love our community and the wisdom we are collecting as we share our thoughts, difficulties, hearts and experiences with each other.
I have so many interests and I like to do a good job; so I join different committees and do a particular job, usually a relatively small one and do it as well as I can. I have coordinated the demos and emceed them at Venus' Playground at Folsom Street Fair, am helping pitch tents in dungeons promoting the Leather Levi Weekend (LLW), am the Chief Ambassador for Leather Alley at San Francisco Gay Pride, have been the contestant coordinator for the Ms San Francisco Leather contest, a judge for the Northwest Leather Celebration, DM at parties at the Citadel, demoed at the Exiles, do whatever I can at IMsL, have been on the clean-up crew for the Leather Alliance holiday dinner, vacuumed after dungeon parties, and emceed events in bars like Renegades in San Jose, at conferences or anywhere you need an impromptu energetic container for an event.

1989 - Sponsor: Leatherwoman Productions, Portland OR.
Ms Portland Leatherwoman 1989, Susie was selected as Portland’s Gay Woman of the Year in 1978 and again in 1987 for her contributions to the gay community.  She is a member of Portland Power and Trust, the Secretary of the Portland chapter of the National Leather Association and active in programs for recovering alcoholics, addicts and compulsive overeaters.  Her interests include football, sculpting watermelons, playing the occasional accordion and indulging her serious cat fetish.  

1988 - Sponsor: Portland Power and Trust
Written Today from my speeches during the year: Shann Carr is 23 and the 2nd IMsL. She is an aspiring comedian who hopes her jokes will help raise funds and educate the public about the prevention and progress against HIV.  She's adamant that men and women need to be in this fight together and that leather people of every perversion need to dish out as much respect and tolerance as we hope to receive. [Ed note: no bio in the program book that year].

1987 - A Native American from the White Mountain Reservation in Arizona, Judy was selected as the first International Ms Leather 1987.  During the past year she has done an exceedingly fine job and taken great pleasure in representing leatherwomen.  She is proud to be a judge at this year’s contest and has found the concept and purpose of IMsL to be very worthwhile.[Ed. note: this bio is from 1988 when Judy served as a judge]

2010 - Originally from the state of Arizona, Judy Tallwing McCarthy has a long-term history of political and social activism. Mother of six biological children, and now a grandmother, she participated in the early beginnings of N.O.W and the ERA movement. Her early love of painting continued to develop throughout her life, and today Judy is a recognized and accomplished fine Native American artisan. The Heard Museum in Arizona and the Smithsonian both house early paintings of Judy's and the Smithsonian also has in it's collection various documents with her signature from the political arena documenting the beginning of the women's movement.
Having raised numerous leatherkids throughout her years, she currently is "Daddy" to "Dandelion Dog Rescue Services" a no-kill animal rescue she established in 1995. To her joy, the leather community has been extremely supportive of the 501c3 non-profit shelter and for that she is extremely grateful.