The Lesbian community suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Frances Ann Day. Our beloved Fran had the courage to end her suffering after a fourteen-month illness.

For the past six years, she edited the Lesbian periodical, Sinister Wisdom. Fran once said, "My work in the field of Women's Herstory is dedicated to my dream of Dignity and Freedom in the world for all Lesbians and Women." She was an educator, an activist and a writer covering all aspects of Lesbian life. She believed strongly in multi-cultural diversity and advocated for animal rights.

Fran's passion for writing began in Denver, where she was a member of the Big Mama Rag collective. She wrote and published three extensively researched resources for teachers of children and young adults: Multicultural Voices in Contemporary Literature, Latina and Latino Voices in Literature, and Lesbian and Gay Voices. She also was part of the Woman-to-Woman Lesbian bookstore collective in Denver for many years.

Fran was born in Nebraska and grew up on a farm there. She loved all animals but cats and cows were her great love. As a child one of her jobs was to do the daily milking. She went to college in Lincoln, Nebraska and became an elementary school teacher. She moved to Denver in mid-1960 and came out as a lesbian in mid-1970 and met her partner, Roxanna Fiamma, while both browsed the shelves at Woman to Woman in 1981. They soon became lovers and partners and remained together until Fran's death.

Fran and Roxanna spent a year in San Francisco in 1982-83 and immersed themselves in the Lesbian community in the Bay Area. They started a Lesbian Separatist group called SEPS (Separatists Enraged, Proud and Strong). They returned to Denver and continued their teaching jobs until both retired in 1993.

In 1994, they moved to their home and land in Sebastopol, California where they became part of the Lesbian community. Fran continued her writing and activism. She compiled over thirty-five issues of SEPConnection; and taught Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults at Sonoma State University. Fran was a long-time member of OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing for Change), and enjoyed participating in their conferences and other activities.

Frances and Roxanna adored dancing together and enjoyed their wonderful land.

Fran will be dearly missed. Her last message to us all: "Please take good care of each other. And thank you for your love and support."

Roxanna also thanks the Lesbian and Women's Communities world-wide for your loving support in this time of deep grief.

Donations in Fran's name can be made to your favorite Lesbian and/or animal rights organization.