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Date of Birth
Angela Davis was born on January 26, 1944 in Birmingham Alabama. At the time it was one of the most racially segregated cities and was referred to as "dynamite hill" due to black owned homes being bombed. -
High School Years
Davis was part of a program that placed her with a white family in New York City for her high school years. The school she attended shared a lot of values that were important to both Davis and her parents. Here she also joined the school communist group. -
University Years
Davis earned a scholarship to study French Literature at Brandeis University along with studying philosophy in Germany. -
PhD in Philosphy
Davis returned back to the states and earned her PhD in philosophy at The University of California San Diego. -
Che Lumumba Club
Davis joined the Che Lumumba Club which was an African American branch of the US communist party. -
Black Panther Party
In the same year Davis became involved in the civil rights movement, she joined the Black Panther Party but did not fully agree with their policies. -
Professor of Philosphy
Davis became a professor of philosophy at the University of California Los Angeles. But was later fired due to her race and political views. -
FBI 10 Most Wanted List
The guns used in the Soledad brothers courtroom attack were traced to Davis. because of this she was placed on the 10 most wanted list by the FBI and went into hiding. -
18 Month Imprisonment
The FBI caught up with Davis in a hotel in Manhattan and charged her with murder, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. Davis was placed in prison for 18 months and was mostly held in solitary confinement. -
Soledad Brothers Case
A brother of one of the Soledad brothers entered the courtroom armed taking many hostage. Four were killed including the judge. -
Free Angela Movement
While in prison, Davis was named a political prisoner and a "Free Angela" campaign began. This campaign gained lots of recognition and Davis became a symbol for the social justice movement. -
Found Not Guilty
Davis was found not guilty on all charges by an all white jury. -
National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression
After being released from prison Davis founded the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. -
Returns To Teaching
After releasing her first book, Davis takes another step in her career and returns to teaching. -
Publishes Her First Book
Davis's career continues as she publishes her first book, Angela Davis: An Autobiography. -
Came Out As Lesbian
During an interview Davis comes out as lesbian. She has since continued to fight oppression for many different communities. -
San Francisco State University Professor
Davis then became a professor at San Francisco State University continuing her teaching journey. -
Runs For Vice President
Davis ran for Vice President of the communist party but did not receive enough votes. -
Women, Race, and Class
Davis publishes her next book called Women, Race, and Class. -
Women, Culture, and Politics
Davis publishes her next book called Women, Culture, and Politics. -
The Angela Y. Davis Reader
Davis publishes her next book called the Angela Y. Davis Reader. -
Blues Legacies and Black Feminism
Davis publishes her next book, Blues Legacies and Black Feminism. -
Are Prisons Obsolete?
Davis publishes a bestseller, Are Prisons Obsolete? -
Abolition Democracy
Davis publishes her next book Abolition Democracy. -
Retirement
Davis eventually retired from the University of Santa Cruz as a distinguished professor emerita. -
The Meaning of Freedom
Davis publishes her next book The Meaning of Freedom. -
Freedom Is A Constant Struggle
Davis publishes one of her last books Freedom is a Constant Struggle.