Campus News
Bettina Aptheker honored for lifetime commitment to social justice
UCSC alumna and Distinguished Professor Emerita in Feminist Studies Aptheker was recognized for a lifetime of scholarly work and activism with the UCSC Ethos Award.
The Alumni Association at UC Santa Cruz is proud to present this year’s honorees of the UCSC Alumni Awards. These awards recognize and honor alumni who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements, made distinct contributions to society, provided impactful contributions to UCSC, and who have embodied the values and spirit of the university.
For her dedication to causes amplifying social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, Bettina Aptheker received the Ethos Award on Oct. 27, 2023.
Dr. Bettina Aptheker (Ph.D. ’83, history of consciousness) is many things: a Distinguished Professor Emerita of UC Santa Cruz’s Feminist Studies Department, an author, civil rights and anti-war activist, and a trailblazer in radical teachings.
A scholar-activist, Aptheker co-led the Free Speech Movement at the University of California, Berkeley 1964-65, was a leader of the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam and co-led the National United Committee to Free Angela Davis (1970-1972) that organized a transnational movement for her freedom. She was also an avid supporter of the LGBT movement.
In recognition of Aptheker’s deep and abiding commitment to causes of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, she was awarded the UCSC Ethos Award.