Interview with Elizabeth Benson

Length: 102 minutes Oral history interview of Elizabeth Benson by Micah Ariel James Ms. Benson begins by recalling her early years, her childhood in Kansas City and Chicago, and the death of her father. She outlines her educational and career path, earning a degree in French at the University of Chicago and working a number of different jobs as a teacher, working for the federal government, for the state government departments, and as a secretary for a church. She mentions her time living in France, Germany, and Washington State, before returning to Chicago. Her activism began with Citizens Alert, who organized picketing and vigils at the South African consulate, and with Common Cause and Clergy and Laity Concerned. She describes the various causes she was involved with and the protests against the sale of Krugerrand [a South African coin to help market South African gold]. She recalls her reactions to Harold Washington’s election and death, Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, and the day Apartheid officially ended. She describes her more recent activist work on police accountability and her involvement with the 8th Day Center’s Good Friday Walk for Justice. She concludes by reflecting on the role activism has played in her life, the variety of work she continues to do, and the numerous instances of social injustice still as play