Charlotte Newfeld
American LGBTQ activist (1930–2022)
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Biography
Newfeld was born on November 26, 1930,[1] in Chicago. 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.[2] 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.[2]
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.[2] 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.[2] Newfeld also joined efforts to increase AIDS funding and education alongside activists Danny Sotomayor and Art Johnston.[2] In 1996 she was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame as a friend of the community.[3]
Newfeld served as the project director for the Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary, supervising volunteers who maintain the eight-acre sanctuary.[2]
Newfeld died on November 17, 2022, aged 91.[4]