Rest in Power, Lilac!
Third Wave Fund is saddened to learn of the passing of Lilac Vylette Maldonado, a member and founder of LA Spoonie Collective and co-organizer at Fireweed Collective - both current TWF grantees (Disability Frontlines Fund and Own Our Power Fund). Lilac died due to medical complications, but was surrounded by loved ones as she passed. We offer our deepest condolences to her loved ones, her family, and her Fireweed Collective and LA Spoonie Collective communities and co-organizers.
“It is with great sadness in our hearts that we inform you that our Fireweed Comrade Lilac Vylette Maldonado passed away peacefully last Sunday, 3/23 at 8:41pm PST surrounded by loving friends/family/loved ones. Her family feels the love and support of her community far and wide, and appreciates that we respect their privacy at this time. No formal fundraising has been announced at this time, but if you wish to make a donation, the family asks you do so to LA Spoonie Collective, where she served as cofounder, to support her legacy and upcoming celebration of life ceremony.” - Fireweed Collective
“Lilac was more than a leader—she was a mentor, a friend, and a sister to so many. She embodied boundless generosity, kindness, unconditional love, and unwavering support– always showing up with gentle strength and courageous vulnerability. Her courage to live unapologetically was an inspiration to us, as was her steadfast belief that our disabled LGBTQIA+ communities deserve love, dignity, and care. LASC is committed to carrying forward her legacy, continuing the fight for safer, more accessible, and braver spaces for our queer disabled kin. Lilac’s absence will be deeply felt, but her spirit will forever guide us.” - The Los Angeles Spoonie Collective Team
“It is heartbreaking knowing that Lilac is no longer with us. Working with her as grantee has been such a wonderful experience, and we were so excited to build more deeply with her in the future. It is clear that she loved her people immensely and was loved deeply by so many. May her legacy and memory inspire and guide us forever.” - Cory Lira, Disability Frontlines Fund Program Officer
For those who may be unfamiliar with Lilac’s legacy, she was a community organizer and culture worker who identified as a sick & disabled, neurodivergent, Two-Spirit, Chicanx femme. She had been actively organizing since 2009 around many intersectional social justice issues such as racial justice, gender justice, disability justice, LGBTQIA+ issues, and body autonomy and acceptance. She was an avid zinester who had written and created artwork for various academic and social justice themed DIY booklets.
ID: Photo of Lilac sitting on a bench at a botanical garden. Her hair is in a ponytail and she is wearing a white knit sweater, peach scarf, black glasses and burgundy pants. She is holding a white flower and there are trees in the distance. The top left says, "Rest in power, Lilac!" and in the bottom right corner is the Third Wave Fund logo.Photo provided by Sade Musa.
