Martha Shelley was born in New York City to grandparents who escaped Eastern Europe pre-Holocaust, and she attributes much of her good fortune to luck, willpower, intelligence, and, most importantly, keeping both eyes on the prize. 

Inspired by the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements, Martha found herself in the heart of feminist fervor in New York City, actively participating in feminism’s Second Wave and helping create Gay Liberation. In 1967, Martha joined the New York City chapter of the lesbian homophile organization, the Daughters of Bilitis, of which she later became president. However, things quickly changed! She was too brash and radical for a lesbian homophile group. Assimilation? No! In the aftermath of the June 28, 1969 Stonewall Riots, Martha co-founded the Gay Liberation Front, the pioneering gay activist group that kickstarted a mass movement. Folks, Gay Liberation Fronts were everywhere: Europe, Australia, and all across the States! 

Martha Shelley's story is an inspiring testament to the interplay of chance and intentional choices. It demonstrates that life can be shaped by both and dedicated to the relentless pursuit of equality and social justice. Episode One of Season Two of the QueerCore Podcast is all about how a woman stood up to the world and said, no, no, no! I don’t want a piece of your pie. I want to destroy the bakery.