Legacy
Amplifying Change: The Legacy of Olivia Records
Olivia Records was established in 1973, born of a vision to create a space for female artists in the male-dominated music industry. Founded by ten bold and radical lesbian feminists, Olivia was more than a label—it was a revolution. Fueled by activism and a love for music, Olivia gave women artist’s voices a platform like never before. Artists like Cris Williamson and Meg Christian became the heart of a generation, their folk songs striking a chord with women everywhere and selling tens of thousands of albums—an extraordinary achievement for an independent label.
But Olivia’s true impact wasn’t just in the numbers; it was in the way it created a safe, affirming space for women to see themselves in music. Albums like Cris Williamson's The Changer and the Changed and songs like Linda Tillery’s “Womanly Way” connected women who had long felt isolated, building a powerful community through shared experience. Olivia wasn’t just making music; it was creating a movement. From touring to amplifying underrepresented voices to taking a stand with projects like the Lesbian Concentrate LP—a groundbreaking response to anti-gay bigotry that raised money and shared vital social and legal resources—Olivia Records became a beacon of love, resilience, and empowerment. A legacy that lives on today.
From Charts to Charters
In 1990, Olivia Records transformed from a record label into Olivia Travel, charting a bold new course. Starting Olivia Travel wasn’t easy. Although the demand for a lesbian vacation was quickly validated by the cacophonous response to the back of Women's magazine ads asking for a deposit for the future trip, no cruise company wanted to charter to women, let alone lesbians. But co-founders Judy Dlugacz and Rachel Wahba's perseverance paid off when a Greek family-owned cruise line embraced the idea, inspired by their pride in the Isle of Lesbos and its connection to Sappho. And so the first Lesbian cruise set sail.
Many more adventures followed. In 1998, Olivia made headlines when a cruise ship was met by over 100 anti-gay protesters at a port in the Bahamas. What could have been a moment of division became one of unity and strength. As the protesters sang hymns, Olivians sang them right back, melting the tension. Judy Dlugacz then demanded an apology, and the director general of the Bahamas tourism ministry personally boarded the ship to offer one and issued a proclamation declaring LGBTQ+ visitors welcome in the Bahamas.
In 1999, Olivia made waves—literally and figuratively—on a cruise to Turkey that captured international media attention. Olivia's guests bought out the rug and jewelry marketplace in Kuşadası, earning praise in the local press for revitalizing the economy. By the time the Olivia cruise reached Istanbul, the excitement was palpable: newspapers, TV cameras, and reporters greeted the ship like paparazzi. Although 400 lesbians had planned to try and blend in while exploring this historic Muslim city, the Grand Bazaar had other plans. Every shopkeeper was ready, greeting Olivia's guests with warm smiles and cheerful calls of, "Come to my shop, lovely lesbian ladies!"
Another milestone took place in October 2008 when Olivia created a Wedding Cruise and conducted over 100 individual weddings for Olivians in San Diego during California's summer of love (when marriage equality was temporarily made legal). Olivia staff and artists acted as officiants, and the ceremonies were followed by a joyful reception on the cruise ship.
For 35 years, Olivia Travel has welcomed 350,000 women on more than 350 unforgettable trips around the world, staying true to the original vision of creating safe, inclusive spaces where Lesbians and LGBTQ+ women can connect, celebrate, and thrive. In 2025, Olivia is making history once again with the Coral Jubilee, the largest LGBTQ+ women’s cruise ever, bringing over 2,300 Olivians together for a journey of epic proportions.
From groundbreaking albums to transformational adventures, Olivia’s legacy shines on, rooted in the same values of love, inclusion, and empowerment that have always sparked the journey.
AMA Lifetime Achievement Award
Olivia Records founders Judy Dlugacz and Cris Williamson are honored with the Americana Music Association's 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award for their pioneering work with Olivia Records and the strides they have made in women’s and LGBTQ+ music.
