ERNESTINE ECKSTEIN (1941-1992)
Eckstein was a leader in the New York chapter of Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian civil and political rights organization in the United States. She attended “Annual Reminder” picket protests and was frequently one of the only women — and the only Black woman — present at early LGBTQ rights protests. Eckstein was also an early activist in the Black feminist movement of the 1970s and was involved with the organization Black Women Organized for Action. According to historians, she viewed the fight for civil rights and LGBTQ rights as intrinsically linked.
Black History Month Queer Trailblazer Highlights are brought to you by your KWRN Diversity Committee. For information on committees go to LEADERSHIP under OUR NETWORK above.
