Del Martin (1921–2008) was an American feminist and gay rights activist who along with her lifelong partner, Phyllis Lyon, founded the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) in San Francisco in 1955. DOB was the first social and political organization for lesbians in the United States. As co-editor of the group’s monthly newsletter, The Ladder, Martin helped to usher in a new era of visibility and political engagement for lesbians in the post-war era. Along with Lyon, Martin coauthored 1972’s groundbreaking book, Lesbian/Woman and 1976’s Battered Wives, bringing national attention to the issues each book addressed. Martin’s impact is profoundly felt on the streets of San Francisco where she and Lyon cofounded numerous health clinics, shelters for battered women, and other nonprofits. Her impact resounds on a national level, too, serving on presidential commissions and campaigning to have the American Psychiatric Association change its definition of homosexuality as a mental illness. Martin and Lyon were together fifty-four years and married in a ceremony officiated by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on June 16th, 2008. In recognition of the couple’s tremendous contributions, city officials made certain Marin and Lyon would be the first wedded couple on that historic day when same-sex marriage became legally recognized by the state of California. SF Bay Times Article
Find her plaque on 19th St between Castro and Collingwood