NEW YORK, NY, Wednesday, August 23, 2006—The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is proud to announce that The Mautner Project, the nation's only national lesbian health organization, will be honoring the Foundation with its Organization Excellence Award at its 16th Annual Gala on September 9, 2006 in Washington, D.C.

Kathleen DeBold, The Mautner Project's Executive Director said, "Astraea is one of very few organization's whose staff, board, volunteers and supporters all share a deep commitment to feminist principles, racial and economic justice and human rights. The Mautner Project is honored to present its Organizational Excellence Award to our sisters at Astraea and proud to partner with them in creating health justice for all."

"Support from Astraea," DeBold continued, "as well as from Astraea's Heller-Bernard Fund, has helped the Mautner Project expand its programs and services, including our Healing Works Conference on Lesbians and Cancer, National Lesbian Health Conference, and our new publication Hope and Healing: Creating Safe Spaces for Lesbian Cancer Survivors."

Upon learning of the award, Katherine Acey, Astraea's Executive Director said, "We, at Astraea are humbled and grateful for this special recognition coming from our dear sisters at The Mautner Project. From the moment Astraea issued our first grant to Mautner—for the funding of a coalition in the early nineties—we've watched in awe as they have persevered and evolved into one of our most beloved and accomplished organizations committed to the health and well-being of lesbians and their families."

"For me personally" Acey continued, "I'm honored to call Kathleen a colleague and am to grateful to all of the leadership past and present for their endurance and inspiration. Their vision and leadership is with all of us, always.

The Mautner Project was founded in 1990 following the death of Mary-Helen Mautner in 1989 of breast cancer. Shortly before her death, Mary-Helen asked her partner, Susan Hester, to start an organization that could help other lesbians facing the overwhelming challenges of life-threatening illnesses. Today the organization is the nation's only national lesbian health organization, and improves the health of lesbians and their families through advocacy, education, research, and direct service. In addition to providing phone support and resource referrals for lesbians nationally and in a variety of community health workshops, The Mautner Project offers a variety of programs:

• Removing the Barriers® to Accessing Health Care for Lesbians is the first and only training program for physicians and health care staffs on the health care needs of lesbians
• Spirit Health Education Circle® is a new national health education program focused on African-American women who partner with women. This comprehensive, holistic program fully utilizes the multi-dimensional influences of culture and sexuality
• Heart Truth for Lesbians is the first national coronary health awareness program for lesbians
• SAIL Navigation Program®: is a client navigation program utilizing a resource center, national referral information, web page, family services and phone/online support, to help newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, their families and caregivers navigate the barriers of the healthcare system
• Family Coordination Program provides direct services and support groups for lesbians and their families in the Washington, D.C. Metro area.

For more information about The Mautner Project and their Gala event (which will also honor comedienne, Suzanne Westenhoefer and activist, Kevin Davis, visit www.mautnerproject.org

Contact:
Melissa Hoskins:
212.529.8021 x26
mhoskins@astraeafoundation.org

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The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice works for social, racial, and economic justice in the U.S. and internationally. Our grantmaking and philanthropic advocacy programs help lesbians and allied communities challenge oppression and claim their human rights.

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