ASA's LGBT Aging Issues Network (LAIN) is saddened to learn of the death of Vera Martin, a staunch defender of the rights of older women of color and an impassioned lesbian activist. Vera passed away on October 3rd, at the age of 89.

ASA members may recall Vera as an early advocate for the formation of a LGBT constituent group within the ASA structure. She was a founding mother of Old Lesbians Organizing for Change (OCOL), a national network of old lesbians over age 60 working to confront ageism. According to a biography posted on the OCOL site, Vera was Co-Director Emerita of OCOL, having served for fourteen years on the steering committee of that organization. She was active in the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and fought for civil rights issues as a member of the NAACP, Urban League, CORE, Connexxus, and Local 660 AFL/CIO.