| Charlotte Newfeld | |
|---|---|
 Charlotte Newfeld | |
| Born | Charlotte Aronson (1930-11-26)November 26, 1930 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | November 17, 2022(2022-11-17) (aged 91) |
| Occupation | LGBT activist |
Charlotte Newfeld (1930–2022) was an American LGBT activist.
Biography
Newfeld née Aronson was born on November 26, 1930 in Chicago Illinois. During her graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison until 1951, Newfeld became aware of the gay community and the challenges they faced, especially in the early days of McCarthyism. After moving to Chicago and establishing her art career with the help of several gay artists, she wrote columns for Gay Life, urging the LGBTQ+ community to engage in politics.
In 1982, Newfeld ran for city council in the 46th Ward and, as vice chair, advocated for Sarah Craig's appointment as the Chicago Commission on Women's first openly lesbian member. She collaborated with Harold Washington to form the Mayor's Committee on Gay and Lesbian Issues and pushed for the city's gay-inclusive human rights ordinance. Newfeld also joined efforts to increase AIDS funding and education alongside activists Danny Sotomayor and Art Johnston. In 1996 she was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame as a friend of the community.
Newfeld served as the project director for the Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary, supervising volunteers who maintain the eight-acre sanctuary.
She died on November 17, 2022, at the age of 91.
References
- "Charlotte Newfeld Obituary - Wilmette, IL". Dignity Memorial. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Charlotte Newfeld: Activist turns 80 —and stays engaged - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. November 24, 2010. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- "Charlotte Newfeld – Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame". Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- "Charlotte Newfeld, North Side activist who backed LGBT rights and opposed lights at Wrigley Field, dies". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2023-05-07.