Editing Chely Wright (section)

===2000–2010: Early activism===
Wright first began her work with 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.<ref name="Reading Writing and Rhythm">{{cite web |title=Reading, Writing and Rhythm Foundation |url=http://www.rwandr.org/ |website=Reading, Writing and Rhythm.org |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210202814/http://rwandr.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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]]<ref name="The Boot 2010">{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Gayle |title=Chely Wright Reading, Writing + Rhythm Boasts All-Star Cast |url=https://theboot.com/chely-wright-reading-writing-rhythm/ |website=The Boot |date=April 14, 2010 |access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref><ref name="CMT 2010">{{cite web |last1=Self |first1=Whitney |title=Chely Wright and Friends Raise $185,000 for Music Education |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1561844/chely-wright-and-friends-raise-185000-for-music-education/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025023410/http://www.cmt.com/news/1561844/chely-wright-and-friends-raise-185000-for-music-education/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |website=[[Country Music Television]] |access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref> The concert has also helped raise significant amounts of money for the organization — in 2007 it raised $185,000.<ref name="CMT 2010"/> Since its inception, Reading, Writing and Rhythm has raised nearly one million dollars.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Gayle |title=Chely Wright's Reading, Writing + Rhythm Hits All the Right Notes |url=https://theboot.com/chely-wright-reading-writing-rhythm-2010/ |website=The Boot |date=June 9, 2010 |access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref> "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.<ref name="The Boot 2010"/> In 2002, Wright received the [[National Association for Music Education]]'s "FAME Award" in recognition of her accomplishments.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.menc.org/about/view/fame-award-and-partnership-of-professionals-award-honorees |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011215920/http://www.menc.org/about/view/fame-award-and-partnership-of-professionals-award-honorees |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2008 |title=FAME Award and Partnership of Professionals Award Honorees |date=October 11, 2008}}</ref>
[[File:Chely wright.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Wright has performed with and supported US military troops overseas.]]

Wright has also been involved in working with military members and veterans. Following the [[September 11 attacks]], she embarked on a [[United Service Organizations|USO]] tour performing for American troops in [[Iraq]].{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=134}} She also met with servicemen in [[Germany]] and [[Kuwait]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Guas |first1=Sgt. Anthony |title=Chely Wright reaches out to service members deployed to Al Asad |url=https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/552525/chely-wright-reaches-out-to-service-members-deployed-to-al-asad/ |website=Headquarters Marine Corps |access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref> During the same period, she visited veterans and military servicemen recovering at the [[Walter Reed National Military Medical Center]] in [[Bethesda, Maryland]].{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=198}} In the early 2000s, also joined wounded and recovering troops at a private military service event hosted by former vice president, [[Dick Cheney]].{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=198}} In 2003, she was named "Woman of the Year" by the [[American Legion Auxiliary]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.alaforveterans.org/Awards/Woman-of-the-Year/ |title=Woman of the Year - American Legion Auxiliary |website=Alaforveterans.org |access-date=September 11, 2019 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923051152/https://www.alaforveterans.org/Awards/Woman-of-the-Year/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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."{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=211}} 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.<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine |last1=Pastorek |first1=Whitney |title=Chely Wright on her decision to come out: 'I won't be a whisper. I'm too proud of who I am.' |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/05/05/chely-wright-comes-out-qa/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref>