Date: Wed, 17 Dec 97 22:32:34 EST From: "Betsy Gressler" Subject: NGLTF's Mary Farmer Receives 1997 Stonewall Award NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3314 voice 800/757-6476 pager 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ================================================================= NGLTF'S MARY FARMER RECEIVES 1997 STONEWALL AWARD WASHINGTON, DC ---December 17, 1997--- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) announced today that Mary Farmer is a 1997 recipient of the prestigious Stonewall Award. Farmer has served as NGLTF's Director of Finance and Administration since 1994. For twenty years prior to coming to the Task Force, she owned and operated Lammas bookstore, a center of lesbian and feminist literature and culture in Washington, DC. "From my vantage point as a feminist bookstore owner," she said, "I saw a tremendous need for cultural events reflecting women's lives, and for women's political networks." Farmer co-founded Iris Films in 1974, a company that produced and distributed women's films through a network of local women's production companies. She was also instrumental in the formation of a national network of women's music distributors, and the national organization of feminist booksellers now known as the Feminist Bookstore Network. In addition, Farmer was a principal organizer of the groundbreaking 1981 Women in Print Conference for representatives of bookstores, publishers, periodicals and distributors. The Stonewall Award is given annually to four recipients from all across the nation and includes a $25,000 gift. The award acknowledges achievements in the areas of education, social services, the arts, charitable work and scientific research. Though the achievement must benefit members of the gay and lesbian community, award recipients are selected regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, age or gender. "It is very appropriate for Mary to receive this award," said Kerry Lobel, NGLTF executive director. "She is one of the best-known and highly regarded members of Washington's political and cultural GLBT community and has been a true pioneer for many years. She has also been instrumental in guiding the Task Force through a period of organizational transition," Lobel added. Award recipients are selected by a committee which includes previous winners. The other 1997 award recipients are Barry Pack of Portland, Oregon, Sarah Schulman of New York City, and Cornelius Wilson of Detroit. Past Stonewall Award winners include Mandy Carter, Martin Delaney, Frank Kameny, Suzanne Pharr and Urvashi Vaid, NGLTF'S Policy Institute director. -30- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .