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Dayton may honor famous lesbian author with memorial

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By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer Updated 10:47 PM Wednesday, August 19, 2009

DAYTON — Dayton-born heiress and author Natalie Barney, known for her literary salons in Paris more than 100 years ago, may be honored with a marker near the downtown library.

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, the City Commission will vote on a resolution would allow a historical marker in Cooper Park. Though similar to other state historical markers, Barney’s would be the first in Ohio that indicates sexual orientation.

“Barney’s sexual orientation was part of her life’s work. What she did when it comes to women’s rights was significant,” John Zimmerman of the Greater Dayton LGBT Center said.

Barney’s writings supported feminism, paganism and pacifism. She published her first book of poems “Quelques Portraits-Sonnets de Femmes” in 1900, the work had mostly lesbian themes. That same year, she began holding literary salons in her home, a tradition she held for 60 years.

“If you wanted to meet people who published, you would wrangle an invitation to Natalie Barney’s salon,” Zimmerman said.

The Ohio Historical Society, through the Gay Ohio History Initiative, administers the program to review and approve applications for monuments to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Ohioians who have made a significant impact.

Other local notables being considered for a similar marker include: pianist and composer Billy Strayhorn, who worked with Duke Ellington for more than 20 years; attorney Elizabeth Birch, who has guided Corporate 1000 companies to adopt polices regarding equity in the workforce; and, photographer Berenice Abbott of Springfield.

Dayton City Commissioners did not initiate the application for Barney’s marker, but they do have to authorize the memorial.

“She was an important author. She has an acknowledged place in history and I support this,” Dayton City Commissioner Matt Joseph said. “I think if a Daytonian made an important contribution to the world we should recognize it.”

Local groups, Dignity Dayton, The Greater Dayton LBGT Center and The Living Beatitudes Community, worked with the Gay Ohio History Initiative to raise the $2,300 to pay for the marker. No city funds will be used.

“She had a significant life. She contributed to the world. When groups in our community want to recognize someone like that, I think we should support them,” Dayton City Commission Nan Whaley said.

Dayton Metro Library wrote a letter in support of the marker.

Barney was born in Dayton in 1876, the daughter of wealthy parents, artist Alice Pike Barney and Albert Clifford Barney, the son of a wealthy railroad car manufacturer. Children’s Medical Center once held her family name “Barney’s.”

The author spent just 10 years in the Miami Valley, before her family moved to Washington D.C. She spent most of her writing life in Paris.

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