Anne Ashmore-Hudson (Finding Aid)

Anne Ashmore-Hudson

1942 -

Interview Length: 132 minutes

Interview Date(s): August 1, 2003

Interview Location(s): Washington, D.C.

Abstract

Psychologist Anne Ashmore-Hudson shares her family background and memories of her childhood in Atlanta, Georgia. Ashmore-Hudson describes her parents and her brother, and talks about her nurturing neighborhood in Atlanta. She also recalls her and her brother's encounters with racism and her family's connection to slavery. Psychologist Anne Ashmore-Hudson details her educational experience, from elementary school in Atlanta, Georgia, to her choice of colleges. Ashmore-Hudson contrasts the different kinds of school she attended--public school and Catholic school in Atlanta, and a private boarding school in North Carolina. Ashmore-Hudson then explains her decision to attend Spelman College and details her participation in student-led sit-in demonstrations at Atlanta's City Hall. She recalls her time spent in jail because of the protests and describes the black community's reactions to the student efforts. Psychologist Anne Ashmore-Hudson continues to discusses her activism at Spelman College, and names influential professors from her undergraduate years. Ashmore-Hudson also talks about her time spent in Malawi as part of Spelman's Crossroads Africa program. Ashmore-Hudson then explains her interest in social work, talking about her masters study at Simmons College of Social Work and her social work in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ashmore-Hudson then explains her decision to earn a Ph.D. in psychology at University of California at Berkeley and then details her role in jury selection for Angela Davis's trial. Psychologist Anne Ashmore-Hudson details her career as a psychologist, particularly her primary interests in research and practice. Ashmore-Hudson explains the topic of her dissertation, impact theory, and talks about the role that empathy and emotion play in human thought. Ashmore-Hudson also talks about racial identity and shares her hopes and concerns for the black community. Psychologist Anne Ashmore-Hudson discusses her family, including her children, step-children, and her role in co-parenting two young, low-income children in Washington, D.C. Ashmore-Hudson comments on her divorce and remarks on divorce in today's society. She then reflects on effects of popular culture on the black community and emphasizes the impact that individuals can make, citing activist Robert Moses as an example.

34 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)