Book, Article, Video Social Rights Activist: Grace Lee Boggs

This resource set introduces students to Grace Lee Boggs, a prominent social rights activist, philosopher, and feminist, and explores her contributions to civil rights and labor movements. Students will learn about her legacy and how her work has influenced later generations.

BOOK
Grace Lee Boggs (2023) by Karen Su, illustrated by Arlo Li

ARTICLE
Zinn Education Project: “Grace Boggs”

VIDEO
“Kids Tell the Herstory of Grace Lee Boggs, Detroit Activist”

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
1. Timeline & Herstory Exploration: Create a class timeline of Grace Lee Boggs’ life, highlighting key milestones using illustrations and student-generated captions. Compare her activism with other civil rights leaders of her time to identify common themes.
Watch the video “Kids Tell the Herstory of Grace Lee Boggs” and have students dramatize or present key moments in her life.
2. Community Action Plans: Discuss Grace Lee Boggs’ focus on community-building and activism. Students identify a need in their community, then work in groups to design an action plan, create posters, or draft letters proposing solutions.
3. Philosophy & Civic Conversations: Reflect on Grace Lee Boggs’ philosophy of change. Facilitate a class discussion around the essential question: “How does the legacy of earlier groups and individuals influence later generations?” Students can write or draw their vision of positive community change.
4. Art & Storytelling: Read excerpts from Grace Lee Boggs by Karen Su, then have students create an illustrated storyboard or classroom mural inspired by her life, focusing on themes of identity, activism, and community.