Who is Barbara May Cameron?
Barbara May Cameron was an American Native photographer and advocate. She actively supported various causes such as women’s rights, human rights, and lesbian rights.
Early Life and Background
Barbara May Cameron was born on May 22, 1954, on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, located between North and South Dakota. She belonged to the Fort Yates Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and was a Hunkpapa Lakota.
Google’s Tribute
Google recently celebrated Barbara Cameron’s 69th wedding anniversary with a special doodle. This is because she was not only a photographer but also a writer, poet, and a prominent advocate for women’s rights. She was a notable figure in the LGBTQ+ community as well.
Education and Career
Cameron received her training in photography and film at the American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1973, she moved to San Francisco to work at the Art Institute.
Barbara May Cameron’s Achievements
Barbara Cameron made significant contributions to various causes. She served as the executive director of Community United Against Violence, where she helped victims of domestic violence and hate crimes. In 1988, she was appointed to the Human Rights Commission and the Community Development Citizens Committee by the San Francisco mayor. At the age of 34, she was appointed to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Co-Founding a Liberation Group
Barbara Cameron co-founded the first lesbian American-Indian liberation group. She also organized the Lesbian Gay Freedom Day Celebration and Parade for five years, from 1980 to 1985.
Awards and Recognition
In 1992, Barbara May Cameron received the Harvey Milk Award for her community service. She was also honored with the Bay Area Women Community Service Award. Additionally, she worked with the International Indigenous AIDS System to promote AIDS education in 1993.
Legacy and Passing
Barbara Cameron’s legacy includes founding the Native American Health and Wellness Institute. She had a close family relationship with Linda Boyd and worked on publishing the writings of Native American women writers. She passed away at the age of 47 on February 12, 2002, due to natural causes, leaving her work, “Long Time, No See,” unfinished.
The Founding of GAI
In 1975, Barbara Cameron and Randy Burns created the Gay American Indians (GAI), which was the first gay American-Indian liberation group. They established GAI to address the unique needs and challenges faced by Native American LGBTQ+ individuals, who often received little support within the larger LGBTQ+ community.
Conclusion
Google honored Barbara May Cameron for her 69th birthday, highlighting her roles as an author, poet, and advocate for human rights. If you’d like to learn more about Barbara May Cameron’s incredible journey, you can click on the provided YouTube link.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Who is Barbara May Cameron?
- Barbara May Cameron was a Human Rights Activist.
- Does Cameron have Grandchildren?
There is no information available about her grandchildren.
- When did Cameron pass away?
She passed away on February 12, 2002.
