ASTRAEA LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE HONORS
KATHERINE ACEY—LEGENDARY ACTIVIST, MENTOR, PHILANTHROPIST

October 10 NYC Event Celebrates 20 Years
as Astraea Executive Director

NEW YORK, NY, Tuesday, September 10, 2007—The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is thrilled to celebrate the vision and accomplishments of Katherine Acey, who has served as the Foundation's Executive Director for twenty years. A toast and roast will be held at the 1199 Conference Center in New York City on Wednesday October 10, 2007.

One of the nation's most accomplished and beloved activists, Katherine Acey is best known for her expertise and unyielding commitment to social justice. Considered an icon in the social justice movement, Katherine has helped set the standard for a more progressive, diverse and community-based definition of philanthropy around the world.

The Conscience of Our Movement
"Katherine Acey has been a personal mentor and role model, always available to provide a warm shoulder or cold realism, both equally valuable," said Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. "She has acted as the conscience of our movement, frankly and respectfully making certain that we are always mindful of how we all have a key stake in the dismantling of oppression and committing to a vision of true justice."

"The Lesbian community, and indeed how lesbians are viewed in the world, has changed dramatically since 1987," said Marjorie Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Gay Men's Health Crisis. "Katherine Acey's phenomenal leadership and commitment to social justice has been a key part of that change. I am proud to witness her success and to call her my friend."

The acclaimed writer Dorothy Allison (Cavedweller, Bastard Out of Carolina) noted that: "Kathy Acey is one of my culture heroes—a role model for my son (I tell him stories and hope he grows up to be just like her) and a powerful force for good in the world. In dark times, she is a warm light."

About Astraea
Astraea is the world's only foundation solely dedicated to supporting LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) organizations in the United States and internationally working for the empowerment and human rights of all LGBTI people. From the isolated townships of Namibia to the rural mountains of Appalachia; from Bangkok to Boston, Astraea grantee partners are fueling the movement for social change in villages, cities and towns everywhere. While only 0.2% of all foundation support is directed to lesbian and gay issues, Astraea exists to fund those issues.

Under Katherine's stewardship, Astraea has enjoyed tremendous growth:

• This year Astraea issued more than $1.9 million in grants to 181 organizations in 99 cities and 39 countries.
• Recent Astraea grantee partners include: the first and only transgender organization in South Africa; a San-Francisco based LGBTI advocacy group dedicated to training and promoting queer women of color film and videomakers; and the first lesbian Palestinian organization in the Middle East.
• Astraea received the Ford Foundation's largest award ever issued to an LGBTI organization.
• Astraea established the nation's first Lesbian Writers Fund in 1990 and the International Fund in 1996—the only fund of its kind in the U.S.

More About Katherine
Katherine's work and affiliations read like a Who's Who of the LGBTI, women's and social justice movement. Prior to joining Astraea, Katherine served as the Associate Director of the North Star Fund in New York City from 1982 to 1987. In 1987, after serving on Astraea's Board of Directors for four years, she was hired as Astraea's Executive Director—the Foundation's first paid staff person.

Katherine has served on the Board of Directors and as an advisor to countless organizations including Women in the Arts, the Center for Anti-Violence Education, New York Women Against Rape, MADRE and Women Make Movies. Currently, she is a founder and member of the AMWAJ (translation: wave)/Arab Women's Gathering Organizing Committee and sits on the advisory board of the LGBT program of Human Rights Watch. Katherine has been involved in the Women's Funding Network since its inception and served on the board as a member and as a Chairperson; she is also a founding member of Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues.

For her leadership in building a multi-cultural women's funding movement, Katherine was honored by the Women's Funding Network. Additional honors include The Funding Exchange, Cross Cultural Black Women's Studies Institute, the International Women's Leadership Award, the NYC National Organization for Women's Susan B. Anthony Award, and Women & Philanthropy's LEAD Award.

A thirty year resident of her beloved Brooklyn, Katherine travels extensively around the world speaking on issues of philanthropy, sexuality, race and class.

About the Event
The 1199 Conference Center
330 West 42nd Street, Penthouse Floor
New York City
Wednesday October 10, 2007 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Roast and Toast, including light supper & cocktails
www.katherines20th.org

To interview Katherine or learn more about the event, contact: Melissa Hoskins: 212.529.8021 x26 mhoskins@astraeafoundation.org

The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice works for social, racial, and economic justice in the U.S. and internationally. Our grantmaking and philanthropic advocacy programs help lesbians and allied communities challenge oppression and claim their human rights. www.astraeafoundation.org