Oral history interview with Patricia von Yorck, 2000

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Name: von Yorck, Patricia (Interviewee); Michaels, Sheila, 1939-2017 (Interviewer)
Title: Oral history interview with Patricia von Yorck, 2000
Other Titles: Reminiscences of Patricia von Yorck, 2000; Oral history of Patricia von Yorck, 2000
Abstract: In this interview with Sheila Michaels von Yorck discusses her family and their political involvement in Germany; their attitudes towards race; her involvement with the Young People's Socialist League (YSPL); her introduction to and involvement with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) by members of the Northern Student Movement (NSM); and her work during the 1964 Freedom Summer project. Von Yorc k low awareness about segregation as a child, because there were no Black families in her community; the main issue they discussed was anti-Semitism. She became involved with YPSL in high school and attended their meetings in New York City. Von Yorck discusses her involvement with civil rights group at Skidmore College, and with activities of Northern Student Movement to support civil rights actions in the South. She also discusses her role in teaching Black history to students in Oxford, Mississippi, and her experience at the 1964 Democratic National convention
Collection Name: Sheila Michaels civil rights organization oral history collection
Subjects: Civil rights movements--History--20th century.--United States; Civil rights demonstrations--United States; United States Race relations 20th century; von Yorck, Patricia; Congress of Racial Equality; Northern Student Movement; Young People's Socialist League
Format: oral histories
Genre: Interviews
Date: 2000

Physical Description: 29 pages
Note (Biographical): Patricia Von Yorck was born in Germany during World War II to an American mother and a German father. Her father, a count, helped to smuggle British soldiers out of Germany and was a member of the Office of Strategic Services. Her uncle, a German offi cer, was arrested and executed for the attempted assassination of Hitler. Because of his actions, the family was arrested and jailed. Her paternal grandmother, a countess, used her influence to secure their release, the family subsequently moved to the United States. After living in New York City for a brief period, they moved to Long Island, where von Yorck and her brothers were raised. Von Yorck attended and graduated from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. She was active in the Young People's Socialist League (YPSL) in New York City, Nothern Student Movement, and Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
Note: Interviewed by Sheila Michaels on January 23, 2000
Note (Provenance): Sheila Michaels, Gift circa 2000-2005
Language: English
Library Location: Columbia Center for Oral History, Columbia University
Browse Location’s Digital Content
Catalog Record: 11604561
Also In: Oral History Archives at Columbia; Time-Based Media; Time-Based Media
Persistent URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.7916/d8-qem3-r020
Related URLs: Available digital content for this interview.