Angela Davis
Teacher
Angela Yvonne Davis is an American political activist, philosopher, academic, and author. She is a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
About
Angela Davis was born on January 26, 1944 in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. She was born to Sallye and Frank Davis, a teacher and a professional musician. Angela also has a younger brother named Ben Davis Jr., who is an actor and lawyer. As a child, she attended segregated schools in Birmingham until her family moved to New York City when she was 15.
In 1961, Angela enrolled at Brandeis University where she studied French, Spanish, philosophy and literature. In 1965, she graduated magna cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts degree in French literature. After graduation, Angela went on to study at the Goethe Institute in Germany for one year before returning to the U.S., where she enrolled at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA). At UCLA, she studied philosophy under Herbert Marcuse and soon became involved in the Civil Rights Movement.
In 1968, Angela became politically active by joining both the Communist Party USA and the Black Panther Party (BPP). That same year she began teaching philosophy at San Francisco State College as well as UCLA. During this time Davis was arrested several times due to her political activism and ties to the BPP. However, she was acquitted of all charges in 1972 after an international campaign for her freedom gained global attention.
After being released from jail, Davis returned to teaching at UCLA and continued her work as an activist for civil rights and women's rights issues around the world. In addition to her teaching career, Angela has also written several books about prison reform as well as race relations in America including Are Prisons Obsolete? (2003) and Abolition Democracy: Beyond Prison Industrial Complex (2005). To this day Angela remains highly active in social justice movements around the world advocating for civil rights and an end to police brutality against African Americans.
Life Timeline
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1944</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Angela Davis is Born</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">On January 26, 1944, Angela Davis was born in Birmingham, Alabama.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1959</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Joins the NAACP Youth Council</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">At age 15, Angela joins the NAACP Youth Council and begins her activism work.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1960</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Attends Brandeis University</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Angela becomes one of three black students admitted to Brandeis University.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1969</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Named a Professor at UCLA</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Named a professor of philosophy at UCLA, becoming the first African American woman to do so.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1970</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Involved with Soledad Brothers Case</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Angela becomes involved with the Soledad Brothers case after George Jackson's death.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1972</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Runs for Vice President on the CPUSA Ticket</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Angela runs for Vice President on the Communist Party USA ticket with Gus Hall.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1980</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Publishes Women, Race & Class</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Angela publishes her first book, Women, Race & Class, which examines the oppression of women of color.</p></div>
Why We Love Them
<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">A.</span> She is an Inspiring Educator</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Angela Davis is an inspiring educator and advocate for social justice. She has been a teacher and mentor to many students, sharing her knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement and championing the importance of education in creating positive change.</p></div>
<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">B.</span> She is a Champion for Human Rights</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Angela Davis is a strong advocate for human rights, campaigning for civil liberties and equal rights for all people. She has dedicated her life to making sure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity, no matter their race, gender or sexual orientation.</p></div>
<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">C.</span> She Continues to Make a Difference</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Angela Davis continues to make a difference in the world today. She speaks out against racism, sexism and homophobia, using her platform to inspire people to fight for what they believe in. Her commitment to creating a better future remains steadfast and she continues to be an inspiration to many people around the world.</p></div>
Interesting Facts
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">1.</span> Academic Accomplishments</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Angela Davis is a distinguished professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has also held visiting professorships at Harvard, San Francisco State University, University of California Los Angeles, and Stanford.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">2.</span>Political Activist</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Angela Davis was a prominent political activist in the civil rights movement, anti-war movement and feminist movement. She was also a member of the Black Panther Party and the Communist Party USA.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">3.</span> Arrested for Kidnapping</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">In 1970, Angela Davis was arrested in connection with a kidnapping and murder case. She was later acquitted of all charges after a lengthy trial.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">4.</span> Honorary Degrees</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Angela Davis has received more than 50 honorary degrees from universities around the world.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">5.</span> Author of Multiple Books</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Angela Davis has written several books including Women, Race & Class and Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement.</p></div>
FAQs
