Submitted by Doug Litwin

Music and community service has been a big part of Kathy’s life. She began her relationship with the gay band movement as a clarinetist serving as a Board Member during the early days of LGBA starting back in 1982, as Executive VP, VP, Secretary and Treasurer of the Oak Lawn Band in Dallas. A true “daughter of Texas,” she joined the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band in 1989 and has served the band in a variety of leadership roles, including President, Vice President, Drum Major, Assistant Conductor, Treasurer, Secretary, and Member-at-Large. During my long tenure, I served as Board President, Vice President and Secretary of the Jon Sims Center for the Arts, fiscal sponsor of the band until 2003. I am Vice President of the Jon Sims Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts, a group is which more than a dozen Pride Bands groups has invested more than $1 million. She has written grants for the band, and enjoy contributing in the business workings of our group. 

Kathy has participated in dozens of LGBA and Pride Bands conferences. A notable appearance was when she stepped in at the last minute to serve as Drum Major of the Denver St. Patrick’s Day parade during the Spring 1995 conference when Bob Brown, the local Drum Major was delayed on an international flight from Europe. 

Kathy is active in the community, serving on the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission and SHARE, a community food co-op. In 1999 she was a school board candidate in Contra Costa County, and served on the State of California textbook review committee, representing the Contra Costa County Office of Education. She holds a Teaching Credential in Music and Psychology and she is affiliated with Mu Phi Epsilon, Professional Music Sorority; Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority. 

Since Kathy retired from her long-term position at City College of San Francisco, she started growing wine grapes in lush Sonoma County, California. She now produces her own artisanal red wines under the name “Wild Woman Wines.” As evidence of Kathy’s dedication to the craft of winemaking, she and her spouse Barbara have moved to Sonoma County to be closer to the vineyard. But, they still make the trek to weekly band rehearsals and numerous performances.