Social Activist. Originally born Joseph Scott Smith in Florida, he grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and attended Memphis State University. In 1970 he moved to New York where he met and fell in love with a former businessman named Harvey Milk. Two years later in 1972, they moved to San Francisco and settled in the city's Castro Street where they founded a camera shop called Castro Camera. Quickly becoming leaders of the city's growing gay community, Milk became involved in politics, with Smith as his campaign manager; he mounted unsuccessful campaigns for San Francisco Supervisor in 1973 and 1975, and for California State Assembly in 1976. In 1977, Smith and Milk separated after seven years, but remained close friends and business partners. A year later, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors where he served until he was assassinated by Supervisor Dan White on November 27, 1978. Known as the "widow Milk," Smith was named an executor of Milk's estate and in 1982, was awarded $5,500 in survivor benefits by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He continued to live in San Francisco and worked as a travel agent until his sudden death at the age of 46 from AIDS-related pneumonia. In 2008 he was portrayed by actor James Franco in the movie "Milk."
Social Activist. Originally born Joseph Scott Smith in Florida, he grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and attended Memphis State University. In 1970 he moved to New York where he met and fell in love with a former businessman named Harvey Milk. Two years later in 1972, they moved to San Francisco and settled in the city's Castro Street where they founded a camera shop called Castro Camera. Quickly becoming leaders of the city's growing gay community, Milk became involved in politics, with Smith as his campaign manager; he mounted unsuccessful campaigns for San Francisco Supervisor in 1973 and 1975, and for California State Assembly in 1976. In 1977, Smith and Milk separated after seven years, but remained close friends and business partners. A year later, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors where he served until he was assassinated by Supervisor Dan White on November 27, 1978. Known as the "widow Milk," Smith was named an executor of Milk's estate and in 1982, was awarded $5,500 in survivor benefits by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He continued to live in San Francisco and worked as a travel agent until his sudden death at the age of 46 from AIDS-related pneumonia. In 2008 he was portrayed by actor James Franco in the movie "Milk."
Bio by: G.Photographer
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