Daña Alder

Alder, Daña MADISON-Daña Alder, age 66, of Madison, Wis., passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Dec. 22, 2014. She is survived by her sister, Laura Maynor, of Colorado; brother, W.F. “Skipp” (Patsy) Maynor, of Ohio; her niece, Beth, and her family, of Arizona; nephew, Justin, of Ohio; her chosen children, Louis and Ben (Stephanie) Cashin; chosen grandson, Finn Cashin; beloved companion dog, Chloë; and an intentional lesbian family formed in love and spirit. She was born Barbra Griffith Maynor on Jan. 5, 1948, in Mullens, W.V., the daughter of Wirt F. and Ruth Griffith Maynor. She was always proud of her West Virginia roots and of having received her mother’s maiden name as her middle name. Daña had a love of singing which began early, entertaining family and friends; singing in the church choir as a child and teenager; appearing in high school musicals, including the role of Aunt Eller in “Oklahoma”; and continuing into her adult years with participation in women’s singing groups and Community Theater. She graduated from Greenbrier Junior College for Women in Lewisburg, W.V., in June 1967, and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism/public relations from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, in Dec. 1969. Her first job was Communications Coordinator and later Vice President-Communications for the Ohio Hospital Association, Columbus, Ohio. In the mid 1970’s, Daña moved to Louisville, Ky., and was radicalized by feminism and lesbianism. She worked in publishing when she first arrived, and while doing so trained as an EMT. For several years, she worked as an EMT before becoming a grant writer for the Creative Employment Project, a non-profit employment and training program for women. It was in Louisville that she legally changed her name to Daña Alder. She was very active in the lesbian community, a member of the Louisville Lesbian Feminist Union, the Lesbian Nation Planning Committee, and multi-term President of “Mother’s Brew,” a woman-only club that functioned as much as a lesbian cultural center as a bar. For the rest of her life, Daña would refer to herself as a “Radical Lesbian Feminist.” The mid 1980’s saw Daña move to Madison, Wis., drawn by friends who had recently arrived from Louisville, and its progressive political environment. In Madison she addressed life with an open mind and open heart. Shortly after arriving, she joined the newly formed Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess, which remained her spiritual home. Daña’s vocational history in Madison supported her interests in social justice and equity. She held various positions within the State of Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations (DILHR), including Policy Analyst, Program Manager, and Public Education Coordinator. These were followed by a position as an Administrator for the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Services Board, State of Wisconsin. With a passion from early on for social justice, LGBTQ rights, and race and gender discrimination, Daña’s last employment position as Team Manager at the University of Wisconsin Health Services (UHS) was a perfect fit for her. She put together a team to address “big picture issues.” She called them the smartest and coolest people on campus. Daña used her significant writing and editing skills to create a booklet on lesbian health issues. She led the UHS committee on equity and diversity topics, including issues of transgendered people. In addition, she was mentor to the student group “Sex Out Loud” that worked to promote safe sex on campus. She loved working directly with students. The “kids” adored her. Colleagues speak of Daña with love, admiration and respect. She “never skipped a beat when it came to recognizing social injustice, inequality, and was always seen on the front lines of fighting to create a more inclusive world…” Another says, “She made a difference, even after her retirement. She inspired many, she mentored many, she cared for many, and she fought for many.” Daña retired from her Health Services position in January, 2013. Daña’s life had many facets. She was an artist who whittled beautiful works of wood. She was an actor and singer and a pretty good stand-up comedian. Daña performed in the play “Another Round,” billed as a Shot of Lesbian Drama with a Splash of Comedy. She sang second alto in Woman Song, Madison’s feminist choir. Handsomely dressed in her tuxedo, she emceed “The Lesbian Variety Show: I Got this Way from Kissing Girls.” Daña was an avid reader, social commentator, and activist. She was volunteer coordinator for Tammy Baldwin’s 1992 successful campaign for the Wisconsin State Assembly. For at least the past 6 years, she served as a moderator of the “leztalk” elist, an online communication and community-building tool for Madison-area lesbians. Daña educated and uplifted us daily with wit and wisdom in her Facebook postings, sharings and comments, weaving a vibrant world-wide thread through the lives of so many. She was a worker at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. Daña was Women in the Arts’ (National Women’s Music Festival) coordinator for press releases and contact with the local media in Madison. She was a goddess woman, active with her congregation, RCG-I, and will be missed at gatherings where she could often be found welcoming those new to the gathering at a newcomers’ breakfast table with her southern charm, staffing the candy and soda concession at lunch, or emceeing a talent night. Retirement in January, 2013 brought many gifts. Daña began to swim at Capitol Lakes and was regularly swimming a mile per day. She began to travel internationally. Despite arthritis pain and the use of a cane, in the summer of 2013, Daña climbed to the ancient and sacred Glastonbury Tor, in Glastonbury, UK, a considerable feat of which she was very proud. Retirement gave her more time to spend with her beloved bichon-shih tzu mix Chloë. They enjoyed a recent road trip together. At a Winter Solstice ritual shortly before she passed, Daña talked about the richness of her life and her gratitude for it all. Thank you Daña for your time with us. Fly away bright spirit, many wait for you with open arms. A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, Wis., at 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of the service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the “Chloë Fund” for the care of Chloë, c/o RCG-I, POB 6677, Madison, WI 53716. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420