Angela Davis's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 27, 2025

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Angela Davis.

Angela Davis is an American political activist, philosopher, academic, and author known for her work in civil rights and social justice. A former member of the Communist Party USA, she advocates for prison abolition, racial equality, and gender equality. She gained prominence in the 1960s and 70s through her involvement in the Black Panther Party and her own activism. Davis faced criminal charges in connection with a 1970 courtroom shooting, leading to a highly publicized trial and her eventual acquittal. She continues to lecture and write on issues of race, class, and gender, remaining a prominent figure in contemporary social and political discourse.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1965: Graduation from Brandeis

In 1965, Angela Davis graduated magna cum laude from Brandeis University and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

January 5, 1971: Declaration of Innocence

On January 5, 1971, Angela Davis declared her innocence before the court and the nation at Marin County Superior Court. John Abt was one of her attorneys.

February 1971: Movement to Release Davis

By February 1971, more than 200 local committees in the United States and 67 in foreign countries were working to free Angela Davis from jail. Black writers formed a committee called the Black People in Defense of Angela Davis. John Lennon and Yoko Ono contributed the song "Angela".

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1971: "Woman of the Year" in Time Magazine

In 1971, Angela Davis was listed as "Woman of the Year" in Time Magazine's "100 Women of the Year" edition.

February 23, 1972: Release on Bail

On February 23, 1972, Angela Davis was released on $100,000 bail, paid by Rodger McAfee with the help of Steve Sparacino. The United Presbyterian Church contributed to her legal defense.

June 4, 1972: Acquittal Verdict

On June 4, 1972, after 13 hours of deliberations, the all-white jury returned a verdict of not guilty in Angela Davis's trial. A juror made the Black Power salute after the verdict.

August 1972: Honorary Doctorate from Moscow State University

In August 1972, Angela Davis received an honorary doctorate from Moscow State University.

August 1972: Davis visited the Soviet Union and received honorary doctorates

In August 1972, Angela Davis visited the Soviet Union at the invitation of the Central Committee, receiving an honorary doctorate from Moscow State University and another honorary degree from the University of Tashkent.

September 1972: Honorary Doctorate from Karl-Marx University

In September 1972, Angela Davis received an honorary doctorate from Karl-Marx University in Leipzig, Germany.

September 1972: Davis visited East Germany, met Erich Honecker, and received honorary degree

In September 1972, Angela Davis visited East Germany, where she met the state's leader Erich Honecker, received an honorary degree from the University of Leipzig, and the Star of People's Friendship from Walter Ulbricht. On September 11 in East Berlin she delivered a speech, "Not Only My Victory", praising the GDR and USSR and denouncing American racism.

1972: Acquittal of Charges

In 1972, after being held in jail for over a year, Angela Davis was acquitted of all charges related to the courtroom takeover.

May 1, 1979: Davis Awarded Lenin Peace Prize

On May 1, 1979, Angela Davis was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize from the Soviet Union. Later that month she visited Moscow to accept the prize, praising Vladimir Lenin and the October Revolution.

2012: Davis awarded the Blue Planet Award

In 2012, Angela Davis was awarded the 2011 Blue Planet Award for contributions to humanity and the planet.

2016: Davis received an honorary doctorate from California Institute of Integral Studies

In 2016, Angela Davis was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Healing and Social Justice from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco during its 48th annual commencement ceremony.

October 16, 2018: Davis received honorary degree from Dalhousie University

On October 16, 2018, Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, presented Angela Davis with an honorary degree during the inaugural Viola Desmond Legacy Lecture.

January 7, 2019: BCRI rescinded Davis's Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award

On January 7, 2019, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) rescinded Angela Davis's Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award, citing criticism of her support for Palestinian rights. However, on January 25, the BCRI reversed its decision and issued a public apology.

2020: Recognition in Time Magazine

In 2020, Angela Davis was listed as the 1971 "Woman of the Year" in Time magazine's "100 Women of the Year" edition and was also included on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2021: Davis elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

In 2021, Angela Davis was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, recognizing her contributions to scholarship and public life.