Born: January 26, 1944, Birmingham, AL

Education: Brandeis University, B.A. magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1965; University of California San Diego, M.A., 1969; Humboldt University of Berlin, Ph.D.

Davis is one of the most influential political activists of the twentieth century. While a graduate student, she was active in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Black Panther and Communist Parties. She taught philosophy at UCLA (1969–70). Fired for being a communist, she sued and stayed until her contract ended.

But she earned international respect. She proved crucial in the Panthers’ efforts to liberate “black political prisoners” such as the “Soledad Brothers,” one of whom was George Jackson. George's brother Jonathan, not incarcerated and using Davis's registered guns, attempted to free two black convicts at the Marin County courthouse in August 1970. He and three others, including the judge, were killed. Guards fatally shot George Jackson, allegedly attempting to escape, in 1971. Charged as a co-conspirator, Davis fled. Arrested by October in New York and extradited to California, she was held without bail until a February 1972 trial. Meanwhile, the National Committee to Free Angela Davis and All Political Prisoners, a multiracial coalition, organized “Free Angela” rallies internationally. The jury acquitted her. Afterward, she founded the National Alliance against Racism and Political Repression, which helped secure federal antihate crime laws. A public intellectual, Davis remains outspoken on civil and human rights.