Step into the realm of a remarkable visionary: Urvashi Vaid. An extraordinary force for social justice, a passionate activist for equality, and an esteemed author, Urvashi's indomitable spirit was awe-inspiring. She loved dancing as much as she loved dismantling structural inequality. Today, we stand on the cusp of honoring her extraordinary life and achievements by introducing the Urvashi Vaid Changemakers Fund and the Kate Clinton & Urvashi Vaid Community Room.

The fund serves as a catalytic testament to Urvashi's unwavering commitment and unparalleled legacy by providing opportunities for the next generation of active citizens. The community room serves as a timeless gathering place, honoring two individuals who represent the heart and soul of Provincetown. We invite you to join us in this historic moment, as we embark on a journey to shape a brighter future together, a future Urvashi believed in.

Urvashi's advocacy was grounded in an intersectional approach to transformation. As a Founding Board Member of Provincetown Commons and CEO of The Vaid Group, she worked closely with the startup team of The Commons, always reminding us of the imperative to work with, across, and between the many facets of our dynamic community.

Throughout Urvashi's impressive four-decade career, she played a pivotal role in driving social, cultural, and political change on various fronts, including AIDS advocacy, immigration justice, prison reform, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. Urvashi's vision of a more just and fair world continues to resonate as we nurture the upcoming generation of changemakers who will spearhead the necessary transformations for social, racial, gender, and economic justice on local, national, and global scales.

Urvashi and her partner of 35 years, Kate Clinton, held iconic status within the Provincetown community, calling it their home for over three decades until Urvashi's passing in May 2022. Beyond their legendary dinner parties, their profound impact on our community as champions for the marginalized and underrepresented cannot be overstated. Kate began her stand-up comedy career in 1981 using her lesbianism, Catholicism, and current politics for her jokes. She was a regular emcee at major social justice fund raising events and dinners for groups like the ACLU, Fenway Health, LPAC, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the NYC LGBTQ Center, and Out & Equal, among others.

In recognition of Urvashi and Kate's unwavering dedication to creating community, civil rights, and social justice, we seek to name The Commons Community Room in their honor, serving as a memorial to their achievements and commitments.

Furthermore, The Urvashi Vaid Changemakers Fund seeks to propel Urvashi's work forward by:

• Offering complimentary gathering space to grassroots organizations situated on the Outer Cape.

• Providing seed grants for initiatives that foster community engagement and tackle the most pressing challenges faced by Provincetown.

• Facilitating community-wide discussions and promoting knowledge exchange through public affairs conversations and intersectional idea festivals to be held at The Commons

Let us gather, united in purpose. All supporters' names will be shared on our website and all donors at levels of $1,000 and above will have their names on permanent signage in the Kate Clinton & Urvashi Vaid Community Room. Campaign pledges can be fulfilled over three years. All founding donors are invited to the unveiling celebration on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Contact Executive Director, Jill Stauffer: jill@commonsptown.org

Thank You to Current Supporters (In Formation)

COMMUNITY INVESTOR: Michael Field & Doug Hamilton, Terrence Meck & Breton Alberti, Kelly Monnahan & Keith LeBlanc, Melissa Moore & Janet Kosloff, Lynn Kappelman & Kate Perrelli, Pete Hocking,
COMMUNITUY INCUBATOR: Alix Ritchie & Marty Davis, Dianne Webber, Tara Sandler & Jennifer Davidson, Taryn & Sharon Callahan-Miller, Tony Kushner & Mark Miller, Douglas M. Brooks, Billie Jean King & Ilana Kloss, Kevin Huvane, Julie Simms & Myra Slotnick
COMMUNITY CREATOR: Jeff Arnstein, Mike Dillon, Susan Mikula & Rachel Maddow, Jill & Jane Rothenberg-Simmons, Julie Smith & Polly Franchot, Mike Syers, Bryan Rafanelli & Mark Walsh, Cynthia Nixon & Christine Marinoni, Paolo Martini & Jonathan Hawkins, Kate Clinton
COMMUNITY INNOVATOR: Katy Burnett & Ryan Groth, Emily Flax, Gary Reinhardt, Michael Levesque, Sharon R. O’Meara Fund of The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Caitlin Healey, Kathy Cotter & Donna Aliperti, Lynn Pina & Carolyn Mooney
COMMUNITY COLLABORATOR: Meryl A. Allison & Elisa E. Burns, MD, John Argos & Bob Ross, Joanne Ayoub & RoseAnne Joaquin, Richard Berke & Martin Barron, Susan Bernstein, Barbara Cardinal, Kath Cote & Kim Cromwell, Marnie Crawford Samuelson, Diane Daren & Lorretta O’Connell, David Dechman & Michel Mercure, Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller, Lyn Kratz & Pam French, El Pannesi, David & Ellen Herrick, Sarah Kaplan & Anita McGahan, Richard Keeling & Eric L. Engstrom, Susan Peskin & Carolyn Silliman, Kurt Reynolds, Kevin & Marla Rice, David Slatcher & Ken Reyes, Karen van Bergen & Jos Stumpe, Forrest Williams, Susan & Dan Winslow, Jean Frazier & Sherry Winternitz, Roxane Gay & Debbie Millman, Sean Cahill & Bill Sandie, Susan Coskey, Sharon Kleinbaum & Randi Weingarten, Suzanne Louise Ridge , Dan Sullivan & Rob Biddleman, Kathryn Livelli & Wendy Hinden, Mark Cortale, Lisa Loveland, Kathryn Rafter & Francey Beall, Irene Gage & Susan Pierce, Paul Groipen & Todd Satterlee, Maggie Cassella & Josee Bertrand, Cheryl Stewart & Kip Mayo, Kristine Stallone & Leigh D’Lugos, David Bowd & Kevin O’Shea, Lisa Farnsworth & Steedman Hinckley, Emily Giske & Jennifer Percival, Nancy Asch & Beth Heinberg, Sandra Bolin & Cynthia Glott, Helen R. Russell, Tom Webber & Keith MacDonald, Helen Molesworth & Susan Dackerman, Christine McCarthy & Evette Ramirez, Annette Andruss, Amy & Diane Indigo, Peter Epstein, Earl Dimaculangan, Laurie Glassman & Carla Bettano, Lisa Loveland, Cyd Berry & Jill Stauffer, Mallory White, Frances Adams, Maryanne Lampke & Lisa Linnehan

COMMUNITY SUPPORTER: Susan Buroker, Mark Adams, Donna Pomponio, Kevin Moore, Hunter O’Hanian, Eric Price, Mary DeRocco, Robert Greenwald, Lazaros Papanikolaou & Stephen Valocchi, Raymond Soohoo, Philip Wilson, Joshua Butts, Abe Rybeck, Kevin Jennings, Donna Mahan & Carol Bishop, Jerrilynn Skene-Tiso, Karen Cappotto, Sandy Martin, Margaret & Patricia Schmidt, Shelley Hearne & Kathleen Welch, Claire Adams, Rebecca Orchant, Alice Gong, PJ Layng, Leslie Harris, Carolyn Kramer & Jo Hay, Carol Bergen, Larry Zaakel, Laurie Soave, Catherine Bell, Sandy Lundy, Catherine Gund, Michelle Axelson

“The gay rights movement is not a party. It is not a lifestyle. It is not a hair style. It is not a fad or a fringe or a sickness. It is not about sin or salvation. The gay rights movement is an integral part of the American promise of freedom.” Urvashi Vaid at the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation