Celeste M. Scott passed to the spirit world on All Souls Day, November 2, 2022. She leaves behind a legacy of activism, organizing, justice, and family. She was a family-oriented, humble, innovative woman and her tireless efforts to improve the lives of the people in her community must not be forgotten or diminished. Just as Celeste loved uplifting others, our Legacy Circle asks that you help us lift up her name and work by contributing to the memorial fundraiser to benefit her family at $50,000. The Legacy Circle is raising funds to provide for her funeral, wake and burial costs, a community memorial, as well as to provide additional financial support to her family in this difficult time.
“From the first moment I met her, I knew I loved Celeste Scott. Collaborating with her on Fat Femme and Fly to make earrings and necklaces was one of my favorite projects. She was always overflowing with genuine enthusiasm and hope and support and looked fucking fab doing it. I can’t believe I will never get to laugh with her or hug her again, or talk with her about my wedding next week. She was so special to our city and it won’t be the same without her. Love you forever Celeste.”
“One of my all-time favorite pics with Celeste M Scott. Here we are just after meeting Jeff Goldblum a couple of years back. Thank you for all you’ve taught me and for helping me to become the activist I am today. It was an honor to know you. You will be missed immensely by so many. 🖤”
“Rest in power warrior- sister. 💪🏿❤️🙏🏿”
Our Circle believes it is imperative that we provide for her family and hold a space where the community she loved and fought for can grieve, celebrate and affirm her legacy. The community memorial will be held on 11/13/2022 at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA from 2-6 PM EST.
Be a part of not only providing for her family that she loved, but to affirm her leadership and legacy of justice for Black people and marginalized groups.
You may contribute in a number of ways:
Checks can be made to SisTers PGH with For Celeste in the memo and sent to 2014 Monongahela Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218.
Your contribution can be made to GoFundMe, at bit.ly/PGHForCeleste
CashApp [$isTersPGH] or Venmo [SisTersPGH], as well, with a note For Celeste.
“Celeste Scott was such a beacon of light and love for our community. A fierce advocate, especially for our Black and queer communities, for housing justice and racial justice, a compassionate mother and community mother to so many. Rest in power, Celeste.”
“Activism has definitely lead me to some compassionate and caring people.. Celeste Scott will forever be that shining star in Western Pennsylvania and beyond...She impacted so many people with her work and love...And she brought people together even in the worst of times..I will honestly never comprehend this loss.”
Celeste Scott's legacy includes:
Being a loving and beloved family member, and a devoted single mother to her son,
Her organizing for housing justice resulted in the creation of Pittsburgh’s Housing Opportunity Fund,
Organizing Community baby showers to help young Black mothers provide for their children,
Lifting the work of SisTers PGH as a board member and ally for Black Trans and queer youth,
Heavily influencing the Pittsburgh music scene before her work as an organizer,
Provided resourcing and aid to, and fundraising for countless individuals,
Spearheading incorporation of Disability Justice, Intersectionality, anti-racist and restorative politics and practices into movement work, and organizing spaces,
Mentoring and training innumerable activists, organizers, politicians and community leaders who have and continue to make our city better for all,
Participating in countless events, speaking and teaching engagements, and activism for justice and the most marginalized,
Passionately sharing her love for fashion, dancing, and Black literature,
Advocating against gun violence and misogynoir,
And, so much more…
“CommUnity. Join me in celebrating the life and legacy of a Champion for Housing Justice, Celeste Scott. Celeste was not only a tireless advocate for affordable housing – resulting in the creation of Pittsburgh’s Housing Opportunity Fund – but a celebrated community leader known for her kindness and generosity. She was a fierce champion for racial justice, housing justice, and queer liberation. The City of Pittsburgh is a better place because of Celeste. May her memory be a blessing, now and always.”
We are asking donors to share about these efforts on their social media platforms, as well, to encourage individual donations and to participate in the community memorial. Please utilize the flyer for Celeste's memorial, and please feel free to add your personal touch to any language.
On behalf of Celeste M. Scott Legacy Circle,
celestelegacycircle@gmail.com
412-516-4097
“At a self-reflective time in my life God blessed me with Sister Celeste, it was on and popping! A powerfully informed, kind, supportive spirit had swooped into my life with the kind of “SHE” love I had rarely experienced. A true un-bias, refreshing friendship based on love, kindness, and mutual respect. This Queen demanded her respect as well as mine she opened my 1978 eyes to a new way of working -thinking -expectations. Celeste and I unapologetically tip toed and stomped the truth about the effects of disparities in housing/health care/ education. She (Celeste Scott) Worked all over this country to improve the lives and homes of poor black peoples! She was a lovely spirit-a brilliant mind- a elevated sense of humor, who I will miss dearly! Rest In Power My Dear Sister Celeste🌹🙏🏿”
“When I tell you there are alot of imposters in the movement Celeste Smith Celeste Scott was not one of them. She truly cared and gave part of her life to changing the lives of black people in this town. She was a great support to me in many ways and always offered words of affirmation when I needed them most. You will be truly missed and forever loved.”
“I’m trying my best to keep my composure, but this lady did the f*cking work! It saddens me to see one of our own gone. I remember she faithfully messaged me to check up on my little cousin Bj and helped when she could. Not only that she was very beautiful and full of life. Rest In Power!”
“Our time together in the same rooms was far too limited but I always knew that we were in the same struggle - for freedom, for equity, for visibility. I always thought you were so cool and I wanted to be closer to you and to learn much more from you. The word today was heartbreaking. But in my life today was perfect today for you to crossover because I know you’ll have another Queen waiting to guide you. Rest in POWER & love.”
“She will be truly missed. She was a powerhouse in everything she fought for. She was a backbone! She was supportive of so many of us in the work that we were doing for justice. Rest in Power Queen Celeste Scott”
“Celeste Scott you touched so many lives, you always had a smile on your face no matter what life threw at you. You always greeted everyone with open arms!
You will be deeply missed, Rest in POWER!”
“Rest in power Celeste Smith!!! You will truly be missed. I wish we could have spent more time together. I’ll never forget you and the impact that you have made in my life. Truly a force ♥️🌹♥️”
“Can’t believe I’m having to make this post😢 The last time I was in the presence of this Pittsburgh community WARRIOR was when she PRESSED her way out to come see me perform at Harambee just this past September….😢
I had no idea that she was going through anything and maybe she wasn’t. Maybe she was just tired and gave up the ghost.😢
Either way imma miss my Sis. She always championed me. Even away from my presence I know she spoke highly of me and I will never forget it. I’m not sure if we gave her her flowers before her transition and if we didn’t then shame on us. Charge it to our heads and not our hearts beloved departed one.😢
You were loved by many and will be undeniably missed by many😢. God speed, may the Ancestors open for you my dear Sistah.🙏🏽 Your work here is done.🙌🏾 Rise in Sheroic power Celeste!👊🏾❤️🖤💚💜💜💜💛💛💛❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤🖤🤎🤎🤎💙💙💙
”
“Went to my daughter’s school for a Parent/Teacher conference...and this is what I found on the 2nd Floor!!!! SKEET-SKEET...MEEEE-O!!!!! IT’S RHOVEMBER BABY💙💛🐩💙💛...CAN I GET A EEEE-YIP 🐩FROM MY SISTERS!!!! YUP-YUP...MY SISTERS ARE BETTER THAN YOURS!!!!
100 YEARS AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME LADIES!!!! 💙💛REPPIN FOR Celeste Scott 🐩AND ALL THE SENSATIONAL SOPHISTICATED SISTERS OF SIGMA GAMMA RHO🐩💙💛!!!!! #1922sigmagammarho”
“RIP Comrade ❤️🖤💚
We go way back. Thank you for the part you have attributed towards the struggle. You will be remembered.
🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾 ”
“A time to mourn. I’m deeply saddened to learn about my very dear friend Celeste Marie Scott, a true justice warrior has joined the Ancestors. We had a very special relationship filled with lots of advocacy, sharing my home for a bit and a strong love for our Suns. I’m holding her family and friends in the light of compassion, comfort and love. 😢❤️🌹”
“I been crying on and off all day today.
Celeste was one of the first people I’ve met when I first started getting involved with community organizing and activism in 2014. Her passion was so unique and one of a kind that I knew I’d learn so much from her. And not only was she an amazing teacher, but she was an amazing friend. When she had love for you she’d let it be known and would do absolutely anything she could to support you by any means necessary. She knew how to gas me up and help me love myself (I’ll never forget when we were talking about which golden girl I‘d be and she said “you have all their dope qualities” 🥺🥺🥺).
She’s such a major reason why I am the fighter and lover that I am today. To say I am hurting right now is an understatement, but I’ve been so lost with words all day. This is all just so unfair. I was supposed to see you again when I’d visit pittsburgh.
I don’t take many pictures when I’m out and about with friends. Maybe I should. But I found this one back in 2015 when we all went out to eat for her birthday.
I keep wanting to post because I’m all the way at the other end of the country and it feels lonely as hell but I need to slow my brain down.”
“Words truly cannot express how heartbroken, devastated, and at loss I am to lose you my sister. You cared so deeply for me, you fought so hard for me, you inspired me to never settle for anything and to be ferociously unapologetic about my movement While ensuring that I loved even harder and Celeste if I didn’t tell you enough while you were here, I love you. Thank you for EVERYTHING!! Thank you for inspiring and teaching us all. Thank you for pushing and protecting me!!
You had the backs of all trans people of Pittsburgh and around our region, especially us black trans women and girls. I am forever grateful for your life and your sacrifice and the fight it took for you to exist within a place that worked you to death. You didn’t deserve that. You deserved the world Celeste, you deserved your roses while you were here.
Today and everyday, I will celebrate you, I will honor you, I will continue this fight with you in my spirit and you continuing to now watch me as my ancestor. 🥺❤️
I miss you so much, We were literally inseparable!! I feel like a big piece of me is gone😩 However, I know you are now free, you are free from the troubles of this world And you will sore so high.”