Description
The Bettina Aptheker papers contain
biographical material, correspondence, instructional materials, research notes, grant
proposals, writings, speeches, lectures, and material concerning her political activism,
including the Free Speech Movement and the trial of Angela Y. Davis. Aptheker is a professor
of feminist studies, political activist, and author.
Background
Bettina Aptheker (1944-) is a professor of feminist studies, political activist, and
author. Both of her parents were political activists and members of the U.S. Communist
Party. Her father, Herbert Aptheker, was a prominent Marxist historian in African American
history and author. Aptheker's first job was in W.E.B. Du Bois' home. Her father was Du
Bois' friend and literary executor. Aptheker attended the University of California, Berkeley
from 1962-1967 and received her A.B. in History. While at UC Berkeley, she was an activist
in the W.E.B. Du Bois Club of the Communist Party USA and a leader in the Berkeley Free
Speech Movement. In the 1970s, Aptheker worked for the defense in Angela Y. Davis' murder
and conspiracy trial. Aptheker wrote a book about the trial, The Morning Breaks: The
Trial of Angela Davis, which was published in 1974.
Extent
47.5 Linear Feet
40 document boxes, 27 half cartons, 11 cartons, 3 flat boxes, 1
half document box
Restrictions
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Reproduction or distribution of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair
use requires permission from the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the user to
determine whether a use is fair use, and to obtain any necessary permissions. For more
information see UCSC Special Collections and Archives policy on Reproduction and Use.
Availability
Collection open for research. Audiovisual media is unavailable until reformatted. Digital
files are available in the UCSC Special Collections and Archives reading room. Some files
may require reformatting before they can be accessed. Technical limitations may hinder the
Library's ability to provide access to some digital files. Access to digital files on
original carriers is prohibited; users must request to view access copies. Contact Special
Collections and Archives in advance to request access to audiovisual media and digital
files.