This past fall, Astraea lost a dear friend and longtime supporter, Joyce Warshow. A lesbian filmmaker and psychologist, Joyce died on October 2, 2007-- the day before she was to be honored by Senior Action in the Gay Environment (SAGE) for her enormous contributions to the LGBT community. Astraea extends our heartfelt sympathies to Dorothy Sander, Joyce's partner of 25 years, and their entire family.

At the time of her death, Joyce was completing a film about the global women's and human rights activist, Charlotte Bunch. Joyce was best known for her films chronicling lesbian trailblazers, including Hand on the Pulse (about Joan Nestle) and Some Ground to Stand On (about Blue Lunden), both of which were supported by Astraea . Also a professor, researcher, author and psychotherapist, Joyce was the co-editor of Lesbians at Midlife: The Creative Transition (Spinster Ink Books), and was a contributor to Lesbian Friendships (NYU Press).

We are heartened and proud to announce that Dorothy has endowed anew Astraea grant in Joyce's name to be awarded to a filmmaker whose work focuses on the lives of lesbians. The yearly award of $10,000, will be a part of Astraea's U.S. Community Funding Panel. Joyce will be dearly missed, and we are proud to carry on the spirit of her work and life through this fund.

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