Josephine Daly

Research Conducted By: Kathy Nguyen
Edited By: Sara Epstein

One Extraordinary Person

Photo source: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force records

Popularly known as Jo, Josephine Daly was a delegate to the 1977 National Women's Conference. Born June 6, 1946 in Washington, D.C., Daly spent much of her adult life on the west coast. She was an important political figure in San Francisco, California where she worked and lived until her death on October 3, 1997. She was an unashamed lesbian activist. As she confidently puts it, "there's no need to worry" about who is of a certain sexuality or of another (Leavitt).

"People have fears that we're always trying to convert others into a gay life style. There's no need to worry. After all, I grew up in a heterosexual environment and it didn't rub off on me."
—Josephine Daly on her sexuality as Human Rights Commissioner in 1975 (Leavitt)

Two Fun Facts

Gloria-ous Women Empowerment: During Daly's time as Human Rights Commissioner, she hung in her office a poster featuring an iconic quote by feminist Gloria Steinem. It read, "There is no such thing as masculinity or feminity; but in fact, there is humanity first" (Leavitt).
A Woman's Best Friend: Daly had a St. Bernard dog named Michelle. Michelle accompanied her on the move to San Francisco--the rest, of course, is history (Nagourney and Clendinen; Russell).

Daly's Contributions to Three Political Conferences

The 1973 West Coast Lesbian Conference

UCLA Campus, 1970s (UCLA Alumni Newsletter)

In 1973, Daly joined other prominent lesbian leaders, some of whom included Del Martin and Rita Mae Brown, at the women-only conference at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (Nagourney and Clendinen).

The 1976 Democratic National Convention (DNC)

"1976 Democratic National Convention" Photo source: Leffler

Daly's attendance at the 1976 DNC is a notable accomplishment for the gay community, as she was one of the few homosexual-identifying delegates there.

The 1976 DNC oversaw the nomination of Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale as the official presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively, for the Democratic Party.

The 1977 National Women's Conference (NWC)

Daly was one of reportedly eleven women to be nominated from the floor. Following nomination, she was listed as a Californian delegate alongside other women.

Four Lifetimes of Achievements

Car Sales

Even before her entry into San Franciscan politics, Daly was unafraid to defy gender norms. She made a living selling cars in Manassas, Virginia and treated herself to three-hundred dollar suits (Nagourney; Clendinen). Above is a a Certificate of Completion that she earned under the Nissan Motor Corporation.

The San Francisco Human RIghts Commission: Gay Advisory Panel

Upon her appointment to the Gay Advisory Panel of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission in 1975, Daly became likely the first ever full-time government official to receive a salary for serving the gay and lesbian community ("More Lavender..;" "Mayor Appoints..;" Russell; "Jo Daly;" Nagourney and Clendinen; Strandberg). As Human Rights Commissioner, she represented her homosexual-identifying constituents and fought for their fair treatment (Strandberg; "Gay Liberation Rally..;" "Two Appointed...").

The San Francisco Police Commission

In 1980, Daly became one of the five members, as well as the first Lesbian, of the politically coveted and powerful Police Commission ("Two appointed;" Russell; "Jo Daly").

Activism for the Legalization of Medical Marijuana

The breadth of Daly's activism expanded to accommodate her advocacy for medical marijuana following her diagnosis of colon cancer in 1988. Daly supported the drug for its relieving effects on the aftermath of her chemotherapy sessions ("Jo Daly;" Russell).

Sources

"1976 Democratic National Convention," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Democratic_National_Convention.

"Gay Liberation Rally at Civic Center Set," Bay Area Reporter, vol. 5, no. 12, pp. 5, 12 June 1975.

“Jo Daly,” Matt & Andrej Koymasky: The Living Room: Biographies, last updated 28 March 2004, http://andrejkoymasky.com/liv/fam/biod1/daly02.html.

Leavitt, Carrick. “On San Francisco Commission… Out-of-the-Closet Lesbian Seeks Job for Gay People,” Simpson’s Leader-Times, 11 April 1975, pp. 3.

Leffler, Warren K. "Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale at the Democratic National Convention, New York City," Library of Congress, 15 July 1976.

"Mayor Appoints Lesbian and Ex-Police Chief to Police Commission," Bay Area Reporter, vol. 10, no.2, 17 January 1980.

"More Lavender, More Politics," Bay Area Reporter, vol. 6, no. 11, pp. 16, 27 May 1976.

Nagourney, Adam and Clendinen, Dudley. "11: In Our Mother's Names," Out For Good: The Struggle to Build a Gay Rights Movement in America, pp. 164, 1999.

Nagourney, Adam and Clendinen, Dudley. "24: An Uneasy Victory In San Francisco," Out For Good: The Struggle to Build a Gay Rights Movement in America, pp. 341, 1999.

Nagourney, Adam and Clendinen, Dudley. "24: An Uneasy History In San Francisco," Out For Good: The Struggle to Build a Gay Rights Movement in America, pp. 342, 1999.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force records, #7301. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

Russell, Sabin. "Jo Daly, 51, First Lesbian on S.F. Police Panel," SF Gate, 6 October 1997, https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Jo-Daly-51-First-Lesbian-on-S-F-Police-Panel-2803150.php.

State Report Index for the 1977 National Women's Conference

Strandberg, Pam. "Gov't Work," The Advocate, pp. 21, 10 September 1975.

"Two appointed to police board," San Francisco Examiner, 15 January 1980, pp. 7.

"UCLA in the 1970s," UCLA Alumni Newsletter, https://newsletter.alumni.ucla.edu/connect/2019/dec/ucla-in-the-1970s/default.htm.

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