Late in December, Q-Notes announced their Person of the Year, and that person is North Carolinian Angela Brightfeather. I actually know Angela personally — we’ve met at a number of Southern Comfort Conventions, and we served for awhile together on the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) board.

From Q-Notes:

From her humble home in North Carolina to the doorsteps of national organizations and the halls of Congress, there’s no doubt that Angela Brightfeather has done her part this year.

If there were issues to be discussed, if the transgender community needed an advocate or if the transgender community was being ignored, Brightfeather stepped up.

The 63-year-old transgender leader and activist is a legend — she’s been involved in advocacy work since she was in her 20s; and she’s certainly not afraid of ruffling feathers.

“Anybody who challenges the establishment is going against the flow,” she told Q-Notes. “When you do that, you become the ultimate activist. You become the one that pushes too hard, that wants everybody to take a lead, the one who wants to really change things.” …

One of TAVA’s big accomplishments this year, of which Angela played a significant part in making happen, was a survey done with the Palm Center — The survey was a first ever study at transgender people’s military and veteran experiences.

With regards to Angela’s Person Of The Year honor, TAVA president Monica Helms told me:

“Angela has been my friend for nearly as long as I’ve been an activist, and if anyone deserves this award, it would be her. For 40 years, she has helped our community through some of its toughest times. Her voice has never been silenced, and now, it has been praised.”

Basically, Angela makes a difference for trans people both locally and nationally, and she’s been doing it for quite awhile. Kudos to Angela on her recognition by Q-Notes.

~~~~~
For disclosure purposes, Autumn is a past-Secretary for TAVA.

~~~~~
Related:
* TAVA And The Palm Center: A Look At Transgender Military And Veteran Experiences
* The Transgender American Veterans Association