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First Zena Award Recipient: Sue Hannah

Left to Right: Genie Wood, Carmen Moore, Helen Green

At our recent gala, we announced our humanitarian award, called the Zena Award, in honor of Juno’s first grant recipient Zena Johnson who passed away last year. The award is given annually to an individual or organization that is devoted to helping gay women in our community. The award also includes a contribution to a charity or organization in the recipient’s name.

This year’s award was given posthumously to Sue Hannah, who lost her battle with cancer on February 4th, just days before the award presentation. Sue’s longtime friend, Carmen Moore accepted the award on her behalf. Helen Green, Zena's partner, was also there to honor Zena and help present the award.    

Sue Hannah was born and raised in Georgia and moved to Orlando in 1958.  After working for a catering company and 12 years of traveling with carnivals throughout the U.S. and Canada, Sue and her late partner Angie Spruill opened Faces Lounge in 1983 on the corner of Edgewater Dr. and Lee Rd. Sue also owned and renovated Key Largo, another gay nightclub popular in the early 90’s. 

Faces was more than a bar – in the early 80’s, there were no establishments in Orlando that catered to gay women.  Sue was the first to create a haven where gay women were welcome and could feel comfortable. The legacy that Sue leaves behind is one not only of history-making but of compassion. Sue Hannah helped untold women in ways too numerous to count: from sponsoring softball teams; giving jobs and a place to stay to women a little down on their luck; to holding fundraisers for gay women with cancer. Sue was known for her easy smile, the mischievous twinkle in her eye and her indomitable spirit.

Juno will forever honor Sue Hannah - her name etched on our award, her memory in our hearts.

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