Achebe Betty Powell, a pioneer of the Black lesbian and gay liberation movement, passed away at the age of 82 last Tuesday. She was one of the first Black women to have a leadership role in the lesbian and gay liberation movement in the 1970s. Powell was a founding mother of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice and remained active in the organization for the last 45 years. She was also the first Black lesbian to serve on the board of directors of the National Gay Task Force and was co-chair of that board for several years.
Powell was a multiracial, multiclass, feminist activist who came together in 1977 to create a new way of bringing resources to movements led by lesbians and women of color. She worked tirelessly to generate justice for communities in need, connecting U.S. work on racial justice and intersectionality with transnational discussions of gender, race, and culture.
In addition to her work with the Astraea Foundation and the National Gay Task Force, Powell participated in events organized around United Nations World Conferences on Women and did diversity and social justice trainings for several international feminist groups. She was a true pioneer and visionary, inspiring many with her commitment to justice and equality.
“Her legacy will live on through the countless individuals and organizations she has inspired and supported throughout her life,” said Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force. “We are so grateful for her contributions to our movement and will continue to honor her by striving for a world in which everyone can live freely and authentically.”
Powell’s passing is a great loss for the LGBTQ community and the wider social justice movement, but her spirit and legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
