Nation" and "Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold," which would later form both the title and the epigraph of the history book she co-wrote with Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy. She also organized and performed benefit concerts for the gay community in Buffalo. Over the course of her career, she composed over 45 songs, most with gay and lesbian themes. Additionally, in 1994, Davis co-founded Black Triangle Women's Percussion Ensemble. In the early 2000s, she continued to perform on djembe, conga, and other Afro-Caribbean instruments with the percussion group, Drawing Down the Moon. Theater In 1971 Davis wrote, directed and produced Liberella, a feminist comedy reimagining Cinderella ran away with the fairy godmother. She was a founding member of HAG Theatre, the first all lesbian theater company in the U.S. In 1988, she became a member of Buffalo United Artists. In 1993, she received an Artie Award nomination for her portrayal of Typhoid Mary in the one-woman drama, Cookin' With Typhoid Mary by Carolyn Gage, directed by Margaret Smith. Personal life In her twenties, Davis became aware of her sexual orientation as a lesbian but married a man because of social pressure. He knew of her relationships with women but they ultimately divorced after a year and a half for other reasons. In 1990, Davis moved to Kenmore, New York, to care for her aging mother. In 1995, Davis and Wendy Smiley married at Temple Beth Zion in the first same-sex marriage performed in the Buffalo Jewish Community. Davis and Smiley first met in 1974 when Smiley heard Davis perform in a coffeehouse. The couple renewed their vows several times, including in 2011 after New York State recognized same-sex marriages. Davis was a reiki master, with a specialty in animal healing. With Smiley, she began work on breed rescue for Keeshond dogs. Davis was also an avid quilter and gardener. After undergoing gastric bypass surgery (GBS) in 2000 out of concern for her health, Davis founded a GBS support group that became a network of 13 GBS support groups in four counties. Davis moved to Amherst, New York, in 2006. She suffered a stroke in January 2021 and died on April 28, 2021, in her home in Amherst. She is survived by her wife. Awards David DeMarie Entertainer of the Year Award – 1988 Proclamation of Madeline D. Davis Day in New York State by State Senator Byron Brown, April 25, 2004