THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Elana Dykewoman

October 11, 1949 – August 7, 2022

“I’d want to be remembered as a writer who wrote about women, who has always loved women, and respects women enough to give them her very best.” – when asked how she’d like to be remembered, 2004

Lesbian activist, author, teacher, playwright. Published under birth name, Elana Nachman, Elana Dykewoman and Elana Dykewomon, in order “to avoid etymological connection with men.” Changed her name in order to no longer be defined by men. “I chose ‘dyke’ for the power, and ‘womon’ for the alliance.” Editor, Sinister Wisdom, an international lesbian feminist journal of literature, art and politics, 1987-1995. Organizer of the San Francisco Dyke March. Her novel Riverfinger Women was named to Associated Press list of 100 Greatest Gay Novels, 1999. Received the 2018 Lee Lynch Classic Award. Inducted into Saints & Sinners Hall of Fame, 2018. Passed away minutes before her first play – “How to Let Your Lover Die” –  was performed at the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, 2022.