Cindi Sue Stewart

Great grandmother called "Maude with the bod", standing on the seat of a Harley Davidson motorcycle wearing a one-piece bathing suit and boots and a cap in a stance like she is surfing, on the beach at Maria del Rey, California, circa 1918.
Great grandmother, “Maude with the bod,” in Marina del Rey, California, circa 1918

I was born in the fine year of 1957 in Reno, Nevada, the closest town with a hospital, though my family was living in the teeny town of Loyalton in northern California. I was one of six children born from the womb of an incredible mother—my first love. My father was an outdoorsman, super athlete, charismatic macho fun guy who became violently abusive when he drank, which was daily. My mother eventually left him, taking all six of us kids.

Because of my mother, I grew up loving and admiring the strength of women. Of three older sisters, I worship the two still living. I was a hot shot short stop in Bobby Sox softball well into my forties, when I stopped to save injury. My favorite time was when my mother joined the team as our pitcher one season. Playing together was the coolest experience ever.

I joined the U.S. Navy, which later paid for my higher education, right out of high school, at a time that was still considered the Viet Nam era. I worked as a jet engine mechanic through four years of service at Naval Air Station Chase Field in Beeville, Texas. It was here I received my introduction to lesbian relationships. During this time, when I was barely 18 years old, I attended the National Women’s Conference in Houston, Texas in 1977. I took it all in, the experience strongly shaping my views of what was right and just.

I married twice, out of which came two children and four grands, who are my heart. I retired from a most fulfilling career as the Associate Director of Crisis Services of North Alabama. I worked on the domestic violence side of the house, where the struggle was real. We fought daily against abuse towards women and children everywhere. I dedicated myself to this non-profit for 33 years.

I had the most miraculous experience of being invited to join the Huntsville Feminist Chorus, where I sang in rich, healing harmony with twenty plus loving sisters for ten years. I now live in a natural, peaceful, beautiful space with my cat, Mya, on the Florida Panhandle along the Gulf of Mexico.