OLOC, Old Lesbians Organizing for Change, announces The
Del Martin Old Lesbian Pride Award, created to honor Del Martin,
activist, pathfinder, and OLOC member who died at age 87 on August
27, 2008 in San Francisco, the city of her birth. It will be awarded
to a Lesbian 70 years or older whose life and work has influenced and
will continue to impact the lives of Old Lesbians.Del was out, proud, and unapologetic when few were. She and her lifetime partner, Phyllis Lyon, forged an enduring image that continues to inspire generations of Lesbians around the globe. In 1955 they co-founded The Daughters of Bilitis, the first US Lesbian organization, and in 1972, co-wrote the equally groundbreaking, Lesbian/Woman. In 1976 Del's book, Battered Wives, first shattered the silence surrounding domestic violence. Her writing and tireless activism on behalf of women earned much praise, many awards, an invitation to the White House, and drew upon the great strengths of Lesbian tradition, advancing our visibility and pride and carrying that heritage forward.
The First Award, the women of Northern Colorado OLOC are proud to nominate Kathy Glass, 78, and Carmah
Lawler, 81.
