Grace Lee Boggs

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Grace Lee Boggs

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Grace Lee Boggs HighlightInterview Highlight

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InterviewThe Interview

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Transform OurselvesInterview Excerpt

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Constant ChallengeInterview Excerpt

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Meaningful LifeInterview Excerpt

Milestones

My road in life has been direct.

Studied European philosophy; got her Ph.D. in 1940, the year France fell to the Nazis: "all of a sudden, there was Europe in chaos."

Knew after school, she was going to have a tough time finding a job as an Asian-American woman, even with her Ph.D.

Didn't grow up politically minded, didn't consider herself a radical, but she always knew "there were things that needed to change."

First inspired after the March on Washington Movement successfully forced passage of Executive Order 8802, ending discrimination in defense industry.

After seeing "what a movement could do," knew she wanted to become an activist in the black movement.

Moved to Detroit, once the epicenter of industrialization, to try to find solutions in the aftermath of the "exodus of the corporations."

Mayor wanted to replace auto industry with casino industry, but she successfully fought against it, recognized that economy as "exploitative."

Says that while "successful" is not a word she'd use to describe her life, it has been meaningful-"and isn't that what we all want?"

Keep following my journey

Education

High School

Bachelor
Philosophy
Barnard College

Doctorate
Philosophy
Bryn Mawr College

Career

Social Activist / Writer / Founder

I'm an author, social activist, philosopher and feminist, focusing on struggles in the African American community.

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

Non-Profit Organizations

Politics

Upholding a Cause and Belief

Hurdles

Challenges I Overcame

Other

In those days people would come right out and say 'we don't hire orientals.'

Interviewed By

All Routes Open

Team Northern Route

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