Kinney (Ida B.) Oral History Transcript, 1969

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Summary

Title:
Ida B. Kinney Oral History Transcript
Dates:
1969
Creators:
CSUN Department of Anthropology and Ida B. Kinney
Abstract:
The Ida B. Kinney Oral History Transcript consists of a typed transcript of one or more interviews with civil rights activist Ida B. Kinney, conducted in 1969. Kinney was a student at San Fernando Valley State College (now California State University, Northridge) at the time of student unrest on campus in 1968 and 1969. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1970. While a student, Kinney also had a full-time position as an administrator with Head Start. In the transcript, Kinney addresses growing up in Arkansas, moving to California as a teenager, and her support for the Black Student Union's activism on campus.
Extent:
.21 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

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Background

Scope and content:

The Ida B. Kinney Oral History Transcript consists of a partial, typed transcript from an oral history with Ida B. Kinney, a San Fernando Valley civil rights activist who attended San Fernando Valley State College (now CSUN) starting in 1968. Ms. Kinney graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1970. The oral history may have taken place over multiple interviews; location of the original oral history audiocassettes and complete transcript is unknown. The oral history was conducted by Barbara A. LaPan and Herrick E. Hanks, both masters students in the Anthropology Department at then San Fernando Valley State College. The oral history examines Kinney's experience growing up in Arkansas and being raised primarily by her maternal grandparents, who had experienced enslavement, as well as coming to California with her mother as a teenager in search of a better life. Kinney describes returning to college in her late fifties while working full-time as a teacher and administrator for Head Start, joining the Black Student Union and being arrested on January 9, 1969 when Acting President Delmar T. Oviatt declared a state of emergency on campus. The transcript also includes two pages entitled "Paraphrased notes from taped interview."

Biographical / historical:

Ida B. Kinney was born in Lafayette County, Arkansas in 1904. She was raised by her maternal grandparents, who were born into enslavement. Her mother and father separated when she was small and her mother needed to work. In search of a better life for her family, Kinney's mother eventually moved them to California when she was 16. Kinney attended Santa Monica High School, moved back to Arkansas to finish high school, then came back to California, attended the University of Californa, Los Angeles, and graduated from CSUN (then San Fernando Valley State College) in 1970 with a degree in sociology.

In addition to working as an elementary school teacher and an adminstrator for Head Start, Kinney volunteered with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and fought for integration and civil rights. She was also active in her church and a member of the CSUN Black Student Union. While she was not present when students took over the administration building in November 1968, she supported the students and felt that their actions had a positive impact. She was arrested with many other students on January 9, 1969 when Acting President Delmar T. Oviatt declared a state of emergency on campus. Kinney believed that the activism of herself and other students ultimately moved CSUN to be a more equitable campus. She continued to fight for civil rights throughout her life. Ida B. Kinney passed away at age 104 in January 2009. At the time of her death she was believed to be the oldest Black American in the San Fernando Valley.

Acquisition information:
Sabina Magliocco, 2017
Processing information:

Gayle O'Hara, 2026

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Documents
Names:
CSUN Department of Anthropology

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-02-17 11:31:05 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials guide.

Location of this collection:
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330, US
Contact:
(818) 677-4594
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