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Audre Lorde Cancer Awareness Brunch: Community, Celebration, and Growth

Now more than ever, community is everything — and we want you to be a part of ours! Join Fenway Health’s Women’s Health Team for the 23rd Annual Audre Lorde Cancer Awareness Brunch on Saturday, October 14 from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM.

On Saturday, October 14, Fenway Health will host the 25th Annual Audre Lorde Cancer Awareness Brunch, a celebration of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), Queer, Transgender, People of Color (QTPoC), non-binary and gender diverse, and LGBQIA+ community members and their supporters whose lives have been affected by cancer.

Started in 1999, the brunch is named in memory of Audre Lorde, a self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet” who battled cancer for 14 years. Audre Lorde dedicated both her life and her creative talent to confronting and addressing the injustices of racism, sexism, and homophobia.

The Audre Lorde Cancer Awareness Brunch allows BIPOC, QTPoC, and LGBTQIA+ folks to share, network, and rediscover their resilience, and strength. The Brunch serves as a space to encourage cancer survivors, caregivers, allies, and supporters, to unite in solidarity, and practice self-care and healing during the COVID-19 pandemic and racial and social injustice.

This year’s Brunch will be hosted in person at Fenway’s 1340 Boylston Street location. There will be good food and musical entertainment by Zili Misik.

Be a part of this community space as we share, network, and rediscover our collective strength. This is a free event, but you must register by October 8.

COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots are recommended.

Questions? Contact Katie Ahlstedt (she/hers) at kahlstedt@fenwayhealth.org or 617.927.6198.

Audre Lorde Paint Party
Saturday, October 7, 12:30 – 3 PM
Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, 9th floor
Boston, MA 02215

Registration Closes October 4th

Audre Lorde Cancer Awareness Brunch
Saturday, October 14, 11:00 AM - 1 PM
Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215

Registration Closes October 8th

History

In 1999, Denise Bentley, a former Fenway Health employee, founded the event in honor of her late wife Lorraine “Faye” Fayette Johnson. She created a space to honor two warrior women who battled breast cancer: her wife and Audre Lorde, a self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet” who dedicated her life to addressing the injustices of racism, sexism, and homophobia. Denise recognized that cancer uniquely affects women of color and the LGBTQ+ community and established a venue to discuss these health disparities, build community, and celebrate life.

Resources

Community resources are vital to helping break down barriers to care for the LGBTQ+ community and women of color. Although breast cancer rates have decreased in Boston since 2007, these groups continue to be disproportionately affected. Check out the information below for local resources and education on health disparities.

Fenway Health

Cancer Awareness Resource Guide

In this resource guide, you will find information on cancer disparities for women of color and LGBTQ women, health education on cancer screenings and preventive health measures, and local resources for cancer survivors of color. We hope this guide will foster sisterhood, strength, and holistic health in your life.

Survivor Stories

Audre Lorde, a self-described “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet” who battled cancer for 14 years, considered speaking up — whether about women’s health or identity — to be an act of survival. Take a moment to hear about healing and survival from the women of color whose lives have been impacted by cancer.

Through the Years: Audre Lorde Cancer Awareness Brunch

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