Angela Bowen facts for kids

Angela Bowen (born February 6, 1936 – died July 12, 2018) was an American dance teacher, English professor, and writer. She was also a strong activist who worked for equal rights for all people. A documentary film about her life won an award in 2016.

Early Life and Education

Angela Bowen was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 6, 1936. She grew up in an African-American family and was the sixth of seven children. Sadly, her father passed away when she was only two years old.

From age 14 to 22, Angela trained and taught dance at the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts in Roxbury. This school was a very important place for young artists.

Many years later, in 1992, Angela graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She earned a bachelor's degree in Human Services. She then continued her studies at Clark University, where she earned both a master's degree and a Ph.D. (doctorate).

For her Ph.D., Angela wrote about a famous writer named Audre Lorde. Her research was titled "Who Said it was Simple: Audre Lorde’s Complex Connections to Three U.S. Liberation Movements, 1952-1992". A part of her work was even included in a book about Audre Lorde. Angela's doctorate was one of the first in the United States in the field of Women's Studies.

Career and Activism

In 1963, Angela Bowen started a dance school called the Bowen/Peters School of Dance. She opened it with her husband at the time, Ken Peters, in New Haven, Connecticut. The school taught dance for many years before closing in 1982.

After the dance school closed, Angela became a passionate activist for equal rights. She joined the board of the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays. This group worked to support Black gay and lesbian people. Angela later became a co-chair of the organization and helped edit their magazine. She also appeared on TV and radio shows, like WBZ-TV and BET, to talk about fairness and equality for everyone.

After getting her doctorate in 1997, Angela became a professor. She taught English and Women's Studies at California State University, Long Beach. She was the first Black woman to join the Women's Studies department there in its 30-year history. Even while teaching, she continued her activism. She was a main speaker at CSULB's first Lavender Graduation ceremony, which celebrates LGBTQ+ students.

Angela Bowen's life and work were featured in a 2016 documentary film. It was called The Passionate Pursuits of Angela Bowen. The film was made by her partner, Jennifer Abod, and Mary Duprey. It won an award for Best Documentary in 2017.

Besides being the subject of a film, Angela was also a talented writer. She wrote academic papers and contributed to a newspaper called Gay Community News. In 2017, she received the Acey Social Justice Feminist Award. This award honors people over 62 who have worked hard for justice and equality in their communities.

Personal Life and Legacy

Angela Bowen first married Ken Peters in the 1960s. They had three children together. They later divorced in the 1980s.

Angela met Jennifer Abod in 1979 at a rally in New Haven. They married in 2013. Angela lived with Alzheimer's disease later in her life.

Angela Bowen passed away on July 12, 2018, in Long Beach, California. She was 82 years old. Her life showed how one person can make a big difference through teaching, writing, and fighting for a fairer world for everyone.

See Also

• List of LGBT rights activists