Yolanda Retter Honored with Memorial Fund

Yolanda Retter

Yolanda Retter was an outspoken activist, archivist and scholar who dedicated herself to lesbian visibility and social justice. She was a major force for lesbians of color in the early LGBTI movement, and continued her work throughout her life. Yolanda served as security coordinator for the people of color contingent in the first Lesbian and Gay March on Washington D.C. in 1979 and was instrumental in the creation of at least three lesbian history archives.

A tireless advocate, Yolanda called herself a “gadfly on the body politic, raising issues of racism, sexism and homophobia (sometimes at the same time), because too often, wherever I am, someone is being overlooked.”

To further her work, Yolanda earned a Masters in Library Science and Social Work at UCLA, culminating in a PhD in American Studies with a thesis on the Latina Lesbian movement from the ‘70s -‘90s. In addition to activism and academics, Yolanda was an excellent carpenter and licensed airplane mechanic who also bought and sold rare books.

When Yolanda passed away after a sudden illness in 2007, her partner Leslie Golden Stampler and friends established the Yolanda Retter Memorial Fund, housed at Astraea to honor her memory and life’s work. Capital for the fund is being raised by Leslie, Yolanda’s friends and colleagues and through fundraising events. Grants will be made primarily to organizations that reflect Yolanda’s commitment to women and lesbians of color.

Gifts to the fund may be made by indicating “Yolanda Retter Memorial Fund” in the gift notes field online.

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