Southern lesbian-feminist activists in Social Justice, Women’s Health, and Social Services
B Leaf Cronewrite, aka Mary Ann Hopper, wrote from an early age. After retirement, she wrote books rich with characters from her diverse experiences.
Faye Williams, founder of Sisterspace and Books in Washington, D.C. has spent her adult life organizing in support of her community and actively resisting
racism, fascism, and other antidemocratic forces.
Mandy Carter, Southern Black lesbian activist and worker for the War Resisters League, marched for peace, helped start SONG, and coproduced Rhythm Fest, a “workers festival.”
Merril Mushroom came out in the 1950s in Miami Beach, Florida, where she experienced homophobia and racism while learning the rules of being butch or femme. A lifelong butch, she has written scores of articles about lesbian life, including a play, Bar Dykes, that has been produced in San Francisco, California; New York City; and other cities in between. Her interview describes growing up Jewish in a city with signs saying “No Jews Allowed,” teaching elementary school in Harlem in the 1960s, and moving to rural middle Tennessee, where she has lived since the 1970s.