Del Martin Old Lesbian Pride Award
It is with great pride that Old Lesbians Organizing for Change presents the first Del Martin Old Lesbian Pride Award to Kathy Glass, 1932, and Carmah Lawler, 1929.
We created the award shortly after Del Martin’s death in 2008 to celebrate her life and
to honor others who are exemplary Lesbians in the world, as she was and as her partner
Phyllis Lyon still is.
Del Martin was an activist, pathfinder, and OLOC member. She died at age 87 on August
27, 2008, in San Francisco, the city of her birth. 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 U.S. 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.
We make this award to a Lesbian couple whose life and
work has influenced and will continue to impact the lives of
Old Lesbians.
continued...
