2004 San Diego LGBTQ Wall of Honor Inductee
Barbara Crusberg dedicated her life to human rights and to strengthening the LGBT community through business and community organizations. She was one of the San Diego LGBT community's most beloved activists, with an impressive history of fundraising, volunteering, strong opinions, leadership and relentless work.
Born in 1938, Ms. Crusberg served in the Marine Corps until 1956 when she was "outed" by her superior officer and dismissed for admitting that she was a lesbian. [Rank E1, Muster Date was July 1956, Station: Monthly Personnel Roster Recruits Wm Rec Trng Bn Mri 11 Parris Island S C]
After living in Los Angeles for a number of years, Ms. Crusberg relocated to San Diego in 1975, where she was a manager at Pacific Bell for 32 years. She joined the Metropolitan Community Church in order to connect herself to the local LGBT community and served as a member of the board of directors throughout the 1970s and 80s. Her activism expanded to include the AIDS community, women's rights and politics.
She became involved with the Human Rights Campaign and the City of San Diego, serving for four years as the first openly gay city commissioner appointed to the San Diego Human Relations Commission and co-chairing the Gay and Lesbian Advisory Board under Mayor Maureen O'Connor. In 1992, she received a city proclamation for the fundraising she did with San Diego Youth & Community Services on behalf of homeless youth, and protested the ouster of local gay Boy Scout leaders that same year.
Ms. Crusberg also served on boards for Mama's Kitchen, AIDS Walk, the Metropolitan Community Church, Diversionary Theatre and the Greater San Diego Business Association. She was a member of the advisory boards for Councilmembers John Hartley and Bob Filner. As an AIDS Memorial Task Force co-chair, she helped bring the AIDS Quilt to San Diego in 1993, and was one of the first women recognized by the Imperial Court. After retiring from Pacific Bell, she managed a Hillcrest printing and graphics company, Missing Ink, for nine years, where she was always willing to donate her services and make contributions to local causes.
Kind and approachable, Ms. Crusberg was well-respected in the community. She demanded equal treatment as a woman serving on predominantly male advisory boards and received it without hesitation. Designated "Businesswoman of the Year" and named "Outstanding Female Citizen" twice, Ms. Crusberg received — among several Nicky Awards — the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was Ms. Gay Pride 2000, then Grand Marshall at the 2001 San Diego LGBT Pride parade.
Ms. Crusberg died in April 2002 after a long battle with cancer. The Pacific Women's Sports Foundation — of which Ms. Crusberg had been a longtime member and supporter — created the annual Barbara Crusberg Scholarship after her death; the scholarship is given to any person who has faced challenges gracefully and has had a positive impact on the community through a sports-related endeavor. The award does justice to Ms. Crusberg's memory; one of her main goals had always been to make sure that others had the resources to make their lives easier.
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San Diego LGBTQ Veterans Wall of Honor Citation:
Barbara Jean Crusberg, USMC
Barbara Jean Crusberg was in the first group to be honored on The San Diego LGBT Community Center's Community Wall of Honor in 2004. She was an active member of the LGBT community from her arrival in San Diego in 1975 until her death in 2002.
Born in 1938, she enlisted in USMC at the age of 18 in 1956. However, her military service was brief as she was confronted by her superior officer and when asked, admitted to being a lesbian and so left the military.
Her involvement with the San Diego LGBT community started when she moved here from LA in 1975 and served as a member of the Board of Directors of Mama's Kitchen, AIDS Walk, the Metropolitan CC, Diversionary Theatre, and the Greater San Diego Business Association. She was also one of the first women to be recognized by the Imperial Court.
She helped to bring the AIDS Quilt to San Diego in 1993, and co-chaired the Gay and Lesbian Advisory Board under Major Maureen O'Connor. She was the first openly gay city commissioner, serving in that capacity for 4 years.
Other awards and recognition include "Businesswoman of the Year," "Outstanding Female Citizen," several Nicky Awards, Ms. Gay Pride 2000, and 2001 Grand Marshall of San Diego Pride Parade.
She was well respected in the whole San Diego Community and was always a strong advocate for Women's Rights. She died in April 2002 from cancer and now joins fellow military as the first female USMC member on the San Diego LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor.
Barbara Crusberg dedicated her life to human rights and to strengthening the LGBT community through business and community organizations. She was one of the San Diego LGBT community's most beloved activists, with an impressive history of fundraising, volunteering, strong opinions, leadership and relentless work.
Born in 1938, Ms. Crusberg served in the Marine Corps until 1956 when she was "outed" by her superior officer and dismissed for admitting that she was a lesbian. [Rank E1, Muster Date was July 1956, Station: Monthly Personnel Roster Recruits Wm Rec Trng Bn Mri 11 Parris Island S C]
After living in Los Angeles for a number of years, Ms. Crusberg relocated to San Diego in 1975, where she was a manager at Pacific Bell for 32 years. She joined the Metropolitan Community Church in order to connect herself to the local LGBT community and served as a member of the board of directors throughout the 1970s and 80s. Her activism expanded to include the AIDS community, women's rights and politics.
She became involved with the Human Rights Campaign and the City of San Diego, serving for four years as the first openly gay city commissioner appointed to the San Diego Human Relations Commission and co-chairing the Gay and Lesbian Advisory Board under Mayor Maureen O'Connor. In 1992, she received a city proclamation for the fundraising she did with San Diego Youth & Community Services on behalf of homeless youth, and protested the ouster of local gay Boy Scout leaders that same year.
Ms. Crusberg also served on boards for Mama's Kitchen, AIDS Walk, the Metropolitan Community Church, Diversionary Theatre and the Greater San Diego Business Association. She was a member of the advisory boards for Councilmembers John Hartley and Bob Filner. As an AIDS Memorial Task Force co-chair, she helped bring the AIDS Quilt to San Diego in 1993, and was one of the first women recognized by the Imperial Court. After retiring from Pacific Bell, she managed a Hillcrest printing and graphics company, Missing Ink, for nine years, where she was always willing to donate her services and make contributions to local causes.
Kind and approachable, Ms. Crusberg was well-respected in the community. She demanded equal treatment as a woman serving on predominantly male advisory boards and received it without hesitation. Designated "Businesswoman of the Year" and named "Outstanding Female Citizen" twice, Ms. Crusberg received — among several Nicky Awards — the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was Ms. Gay Pride 2000, then Grand Marshall at the 2001 San Diego LGBT Pride parade.
Ms. Crusberg died in April 2002 after a long battle with cancer. The Pacific Women's Sports Foundation — of which Ms. Crusberg had been a longtime member and supporter — created the annual Barbara Crusberg Scholarship after her death; the scholarship is given to any person who has faced challenges gracefully and has had a positive impact on the community through a sports-related endeavor. The award does justice to Ms. Crusberg's memory; one of her main goals had always been to make sure that others had the resources to make their lives easier.
________________________________
San Diego LGBTQ Veterans Wall of Honor Citation:
Barbara Jean Crusberg, USMC
Barbara Jean Crusberg was in the first group to be honored on The San Diego LGBT Community Center's Community Wall of Honor in 2004. She was an active member of the LGBT community from her arrival in San Diego in 1975 until her death in 2002.
Born in 1938, she enlisted in USMC at the age of 18 in 1956. However, her military service was brief as she was confronted by her superior officer and when asked, admitted to being a lesbian and so left the military.
Her involvement with the San Diego LGBT community started when she moved here from LA in 1975 and served as a member of the Board of Directors of Mama's Kitchen, AIDS Walk, the Metropolitan CC, Diversionary Theatre, and the Greater San Diego Business Association. She was also one of the first women to be recognized by the Imperial Court.
She helped to bring the AIDS Quilt to San Diego in 1993, and co-chaired the Gay and Lesbian Advisory Board under Major Maureen O'Connor. She was the first openly gay city commissioner, serving in that capacity for 4 years.
Other awards and recognition include "Businesswoman of the Year," "Outstanding Female Citizen," several Nicky Awards, Ms. Gay Pride 2000, and 2001 Grand Marshall of San Diego Pride Parade.
She was well respected in the whole San Diego Community and was always a strong advocate for Women's Rights. She died in April 2002 from cancer and now joins fellow military as the first female USMC member on the San Diego LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor.
2004 San Diego LGBTQ Wall of Honor Inductee
Barbara Crusberg dedicated her life to human rights and to strengthening the LGBT community through business and community organizations. She was one of the San Diego LGBT community's most beloved activists, with an impressive history of fundraising, volunteering, strong opinions, leadership and relentless work.
Born in 1938, Ms. Crusberg served in the Marine Corps until 1956 when she was "outed" by her superior officer and dismissed for admitting that she was a lesbian. [Rank E1, Muster Date was July 1956, Station: Monthly Personnel Roster Recruits Wm Rec Trng Bn Mri 11 Parris Island S C]
After living in Los Angeles for a number of years, Ms. Crusberg relocated to San Diego in 1975, where she was a manager at Pacific Bell for 32 years. She joined the Metropolitan Community Church in order to connect herself to the local LGBT community and served as a member of the board of directors throughout the 1970s and 80s. Her activism expanded to include the AIDS community, women's rights and politics.
She became involved with the Human Rights Campaign and the City of San Diego, serving for four years as the first openly gay city commissioner appointed to the San Diego Human Relations Commission and co-chairing the Gay and Lesbian Advisory Board under Mayor Maureen O'Connor. In 1992, she received a city proclamation for the fundraising she did with San Diego Youth & Community Services on behalf of homeless youth, and protested the ouster of local gay Boy Scout leaders that same year.
Ms. Crusberg also served on boards for Mama's Kitchen, AIDS Walk, the Metropolitan Community Church, Diversionary Theatre and the Greater San Diego Business Association. She was a member of the advisory boards for Councilmembers John Hartley and Bob Filner. As an AIDS Memorial Task Force co-chair, she helped bring the AIDS Quilt to San Diego in 1993, and was one of the first women recognized by the Imperial Court. After retiring from Pacific Bell, she managed a Hillcrest printing and graphics company, Missing Ink, for nine years, where she was always willing to donate her services and make contributions to local causes.
Kind and approachable, Ms. Crusberg was well-respected in the community. She demanded equal treatment as a woman serving on predominantly male advisory boards and received it without hesitation. Designated "Businesswoman of the Year" and named "Outstanding Female Citizen" twice, Ms. Crusberg received — among several Nicky Awards — the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was Ms. Gay Pride 2000, then Grand Marshall at the 2001 San Diego LGBT Pride parade.
Ms. Crusberg died in April 2002 after a long battle with cancer. The Pacific Women's Sports Foundation — of which Ms. Crusberg had been a longtime member and supporter — created the annual Barbara Crusberg Scholarship after her death; the scholarship is given to any person who has faced challenges gracefully and has had a positive impact on the community through a sports-related endeavor. The award does justice to Ms. Crusberg's memory; one of her main goals had always been to make sure that others had the resources to make their lives easier.
________________________________
San Diego LGBTQ Veterans Wall of Honor Citation:
Barbara Jean Crusberg, USMC
Barbara Jean Crusberg was in the first group to be honored on The San Diego LGBT Community Center's Community Wall of Honor in 2004. She was an active member of the LGBT community from her arrival in San Diego in 1975 until her death in 2002.
Born in 1938, she enlisted in USMC at the age of 18 in 1956. However, her military service was brief as she was confronted by her superior officer and when asked, admitted to being a lesbian and so left the military.
Her involvement with the San Diego LGBT community started when she moved here from LA in 1975 and served as a member of the Board of Directors of Mama's Kitchen, AIDS Walk, the Metropolitan CC, Diversionary Theatre, and the Greater San Diego Business Association. She was also one of the first women to be recognized by the Imperial Court.
She helped to bring the AIDS Quilt to San Diego in 1993, and co-chaired the Gay and Lesbian Advisory Board under Major Maureen O'Connor. She was the first openly gay city commissioner, serving in that capacity for 4 years.
Other awards and recognition include "Businesswoman of the Year," "Outstanding Female Citizen," several Nicky Awards, Ms. Gay Pride 2000, and 2001 Grand Marshall of San Diego Pride Parade.
She was well respected in the whole San Diego Community and was always a strong advocate for Women's Rights. She died in April 2002 from cancer and now joins fellow military as the first female USMC member on the San Diego LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor.
Barbara Crusberg dedicated her life to human rights and to strengthening the LGBT community through business and community organizations. She was one of the San Diego LGBT community's most beloved activists, with an impressive history of fundraising, volunteering, strong opinions, leadership and relentless work.
Born in 1938, Ms. Crusberg served in the Marine Corps until 1956 when she was "outed" by her superior officer and dismissed for admitting that she was a lesbian. [Rank E1, Muster Date was July 1956, Station: Monthly Personnel Roster Recruits Wm Rec Trng Bn Mri 11 Parris Island S C]
After living in Los Angeles for a number of years, Ms. Crusberg relocated to San Diego in 1975, where she was a manager at Pacific Bell for 32 years. She joined the Metropolitan Community Church in order to connect herself to the local LGBT community and served as a member of the board of directors throughout the 1970s and 80s. Her activism expanded to include the AIDS community, women's rights and politics.
She became involved with the Human Rights Campaign and the City of San Diego, serving for four years as the first openly gay city commissioner appointed to the San Diego Human Relations Commission and co-chairing the Gay and Lesbian Advisory Board under Mayor Maureen O'Connor. In 1992, she received a city proclamation for the fundraising she did with San Diego Youth & Community Services on behalf of homeless youth, and protested the ouster of local gay Boy Scout leaders that same year.
Ms. Crusberg also served on boards for Mama's Kitchen, AIDS Walk, the Metropolitan Community Church, Diversionary Theatre and the Greater San Diego Business Association. She was a member of the advisory boards for Councilmembers John Hartley and Bob Filner. As an AIDS Memorial Task Force co-chair, she helped bring the AIDS Quilt to San Diego in 1993, and was one of the first women recognized by the Imperial Court. After retiring from Pacific Bell, she managed a Hillcrest printing and graphics company, Missing Ink, for nine years, where she was always willing to donate her services and make contributions to local causes.
Kind and approachable, Ms. Crusberg was well-respected in the community. She demanded equal treatment as a woman serving on predominantly male advisory boards and received it without hesitation. Designated "Businesswoman of the Year" and named "Outstanding Female Citizen" twice, Ms. Crusberg received — among several Nicky Awards — the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was Ms. Gay Pride 2000, then Grand Marshall at the 2001 San Diego LGBT Pride parade.
Ms. Crusberg died in April 2002 after a long battle with cancer. The Pacific Women's Sports Foundation — of which Ms. Crusberg had been a longtime member and supporter — created the annual Barbara Crusberg Scholarship after her death; the scholarship is given to any person who has faced challenges gracefully and has had a positive impact on the community through a sports-related endeavor. The award does justice to Ms. Crusberg's memory; one of her main goals had always been to make sure that others had the resources to make their lives easier.
________________________________
San Diego LGBTQ Veterans Wall of Honor Citation:
Barbara Jean Crusberg, USMC
Barbara Jean Crusberg was in the first group to be honored on The San Diego LGBT Community Center's Community Wall of Honor in 2004. She was an active member of the LGBT community from her arrival in San Diego in 1975 until her death in 2002.
Born in 1938, she enlisted in USMC at the age of 18 in 1956. However, her military service was brief as she was confronted by her superior officer and when asked, admitted to being a lesbian and so left the military.
Her involvement with the San Diego LGBT community started when she moved here from LA in 1975 and served as a member of the Board of Directors of Mama's Kitchen, AIDS Walk, the Metropolitan CC, Diversionary Theatre, and the Greater San Diego Business Association. She was also one of the first women to be recognized by the Imperial Court.
She helped to bring the AIDS Quilt to San Diego in 1993, and co-chaired the Gay and Lesbian Advisory Board under Major Maureen O'Connor. She was the first openly gay city commissioner, serving in that capacity for 4 years.
Other awards and recognition include "Businesswoman of the Year," "Outstanding Female Citizen," several Nicky Awards, Ms. Gay Pride 2000, and 2001 Grand Marshall of San Diego Pride Parade.
She was well respected in the whole San Diego Community and was always a strong advocate for Women's Rights. She died in April 2002 from cancer and now joins fellow military as the first female USMC member on the San Diego LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor.
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