OLOC’s National Gathering — August 20–24, 2025
Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbus, Ohio
(It is not the one by the airport.)
2700 Corporate Exchange Dr.
Columbus, OH 43231
The theme is: Prevailing: Old Lesbians United for Our Future.
The OLOC Gathering welcomes Old/Elder Lesbians who have reached their 55th year.
Women of all ages are welcome to attend evening programs.
OLOC SWAG Still Available
In case you didn’t have a chance to order before the Columbus Gathering, we’re making OLOC SWAG available for order before Halloween! It’s just not feasible to produce and store OLOC t-shirts, so we’ve organized a “group buy” during select pre-order times. Check out the website for details.
Direct-to-you-shipping in late November – in time for all of your holiday wearing and giving!
We’ve got updated t-shirt designs, including a commemorative shirt from the 2025 Gathering, in multiple colors, a variety of styles in English and Spanish, and sizes from small to 3X, subject to availability and pricing. We’ve even got a stadium blanket!
You might also want to check out the ELDERZON t-shirt (from Amazon Spirit Week) and other swag from programming at The Land – only available to order for a limited time as you look around Goldenrod’s website. And, LOTS of wonderful music.
We hope you’re as excited as we are to update your OLOC-wear! Please tell your friends!
For FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) CLICK HERE
Download the Schedule PDF or view online
Workshop Schedule & Descriptions
Feeling hungry and craving something delicious? Try Taqueria El Paso!
Taqueria El Paso serves a variety of delicious meals made from high-quality ingredients, prepared quickly to satisfy your appetite.
The food truck will be in front of the Hotel:
Wednesday 8/20, 5-7pm
Thursday 8/21, 5-7pm
Friday 8/22, 12-2pm
Saturday 8/23, 5-7pm
Sunday 8/24, 12-3pm
Evaluate our 2025 Gathering
Please take the time to evaluate our 2025 Gathering. Your input will help us improve future events. Use the QR code or click on Gathering Evaluation Form. Thank you for your participation.
Key Note Address
Washington State Supreme Court Justice
G. Helen Whitener.
Friday, August 22 / 7:30 pm
Justice Whitener was appointed to the Court in 2020 and subsequently elected by voters twice to retain her position. Before becoming a judge, she was a prosecutor and defense attorney for 14 years.
She was born and raised in the beautiful Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Educated in the British system, Justice Whitener arrived in the US at the age of 16 to attend college. She is the first Black woman to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court, the fourth immigrant-born Justice, and the first Black LGBT Supreme Court Justice in the nation. Justice Whitener identifies as having a disability and speaks often on human rights and access to justice.
Justice Whitener is well recognized by the legal community for her commitment to justice and equity. She has received numerous awards for having the distinction of being many firsts in her field, a true trailblazer for Black Lesbians and women judges.
She initiated a program called Color of Justice which encourages girls to consider legal and judicial careers by bringing them together with judges and lawyers and providing them with resources to pursue their goals.
She came to our attention as a speaker at the Black Women Rise events in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2017–2018. Two of us thought she was dynamic and amazing; she talked about People of Color and gave real-life situations and how to react or handle ourselves to get the most positive assist from the judicial system. One OLOCian remembers “calling many of my friends, saying ‘Hey girl, did you know that if ‘that’ happens, we need to do ‘this’?’”
Special Guest! Linda Tillery
Linda Tillery is a Grammy nominated Vocalist, Producer, Drummer, Percussionist, and Cultural Historian. She has been an influential force in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for nearly 60 years. Her entry into performing was as lead singer in the psychedelic soul band, Loading Zone.
Read more…
The Loading Zone released one recording on RCA Victor and played all the major rock halls on the East and West coasts. After leaving the Loading Zone Tillery released her first solo recording on CBS Records titled ‘’Sweet Linda Devine.’’ As a pioneer in Women’s Music Tillery recorded with Mary Watkins, Holly Near, Teresa Trull, Deidre McCalla, Barbara Higbie, Be Be K’Roche, Margie Adam, The Washington Sisters, Casselberry and Dupree, Gwen Avery and many others. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Linda TIllery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, an African American roots music ensemble that gained National and international acclaim. The Choir travelled to 22 different countries during their formative years. Other recording credits include Boz Scaggs, Tracy Nelson, Santana, Huey Lewis and the News, Wilson Picket, Taj Mahal, Eric Bibb, Vicki Randle, Cesar Ascarrunz, Coke Escovedo, Pete and Sheila Escovedo, Ray Obiedo, The Whispers, Little Jr. Parker, The T Sisters, KITKA and the list goes on. Linda was also a founding member of Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra, a 10 member a cappella ensemble.
Headliner
Nedra Johnson
Friday, August 22 at 8:45 pm
Nedra Johnson is a black, openly lesbian, singer/songwriter and instrumentalist. Her unique style of guitar playing is unmistakably informed by her many years as a bassist and keeps her live solo acoustic performances more on an R&B tip then what one might expect of a “girl with a guitar.” Her songs are a joyful mix of R&B, funk, rock and gospel touching on subjects such as love, spirituality, community and or politics.
Lesbian of Color Event
Facilitated by Dr. Karen Williams
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
10am–4pm • (Includes Lunch)
Karen Williams is the Founder and CEO of the International Institute of Humor and Healing Arts aka HaHA Institute.
This pre-Gathering event is for Lesbians of Color on Wednesday. The 2025 Old Lesbians Organizing for Change National Gathering opens to everyone in the evening and closes with a chance for new attendees to meet and mingle.
LOC Day includes:
1 night hotel room on Tuesday, August 19
For LOCs not from the area.
Contact for LOC details: Ali Marrero –ali@oloc.org
Simma Lieberman — Seeing Each Other Fully:
Race, Identity, and the Stories We Carry
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025
9am–4pm • (Includes Lunch)
Why attend: We all carry stories — some told to us, some we tell ourselves. This session will help you explore how those stories shape your views of race, identity, and community. Come ready to look beyond the surface and build stronger connections across difference.
Thursday evening, August 21, 2025
Be sure to sign up to participate! On most days, we’ve left some unscheduled time for impromptu singing, playing instruments, forming caucuses, and spending time with old and new friends.
For sign-up information go to FAQ and scroll to #3
The hotel where we will be meeting, www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cmhcees-embassysuites-columbus, offers 224 guest rooms, six of which are accessible with features such as roll-in showers; free made-to-order breakfast; complimentary daily evening reception; a restaurant for dinner; indoor and outdoor pools; an accessible fitness center; and an accessible business center. You can bring pets per the hotel, but pets can’t attend the Gathering itself.
In 2020, Hilton published a Hilton Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement.
Other Activities to Expect
- Workshops and Plenaries
- Keynote Speaker
- Entertainment
- Talent Show
- Dance with DJ
- Presentation of the 2025 Old Lesbian Pride Award
- Premiere of 2025 Memorial Slide show
- Opening & Closing Ceremonies
- Meeting for Gathering virgins and newbies to OLOC
- Caucus time, Chapter Coordinator meetings, and Chapter meetings
- Laughter – Fun – Discussions – Old Lesbians – and so much more….
Details & Registration Information
Registration Fees
The registration fee covers all programming and several meals:
- Lunch (Thursday and Saturday)
- Dinner (Friday)
WHOLE GATHERING (Wed. – Sun.) – Registration Fees
Full Price or Pay AFTER July 1 – $550
Fee for those receiving Financial Assistance (When confirmed) – $100
By the day
Thursday (WHOLE Day with Lunch & Talent Show) – $150
Friday (WHOLE Day with Dinner & Keynote & Concert) – $200
Friday – Dinner & Keynote & Concert ONLY – $150
Saturday (WHOLE Day with Lunch & Dance) – $150
Saturday – Dance ONLY – $25
Registration does not cover lodging, transportation, or the rest of your meals.
TAKE A PEEK!
What’s Happening at the Gathering
In April the National Steering Committee met at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbus. Vanita Thomas and Pam Jackson from the local chapter joined the meeting to add their expertise. The Committee met with the sales and banquet managers to finalize the program. For the first time in OLOC’s herstory three of our four presenters are African American! How exciting is that? This a great opportunity for all of us to come together and Prevail against the patriarchal machine.
From L, clockwise: Ali, Michiko, Patti K., gypsy,
Vanita (provisional member), Sally, and Pam (provisional member).
