Summer Reading 2007 - Interviews

Interviews: Ann Atwater

These four interviews with Ann Atwater were conducted by Ben Reese (VP for Institutional Equity at Duke) and Jeffrey Storer (Duke Theater Studies Professor) between January and June 2006.   Two of the interviews have been made publicly available on this page by permission of Ann and the interviewers.

Interview 1: January 23, 2006 

Ann discusses life before coming to Durham, her pregnancies, and separation and divorce from her husband.  She recounts memories of Durham during and shortly after moving to the area.  Finally, she talks about the beginnings of her activism.

[Available at Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History & Culture]. 55 min.

Interview 2: January 30, 2006

Ann continues discussing her early activism, including her involvement with the Neighborhood Council, Community Action Training, and Operation Breakthrough.  She tells of early impressions of the KKK, conflicts at City Council, and meeting C.P. Ellis.  She then details both the origins and impact (both short- and long-term) of the charrette.  She explains how the charrette helped her and C.P. find common ground for the sake of their children, and forge a lasting friendship. 

Listen: 66 min. Transcript.   Watch:  Part 1. Part 2.

Interview 3: May 5, 2006

Ann talks about the current state of affairs in Durham, including insight on taking responsibility within the community to make changes.  She provides further details about her work with Operation Breakthrough, and discusses her current and ongoing activism. 

Listen: 52 min. Transcript.

Interview 4: June 1, 2006

Ann revisits her early days in Durham and sheds more light on the lives of her children and grandchildren.  She discusses her children's reaction and C.P.'s children's reaction to the events around the time of the charrette.

[Available at Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History & Culture]. 55 min.