Interview with Nanci Ritter, April 4, 2022

Interview Summary

Nanci Ritter begins by describing her family and youth growing up in Philadelphia. She discusses her experiences with attending college at West Chester University (WCU), as well as the general campus culture that existed at WCU during the early 1970s. Ritter describes her interaction with race relations in Philadelphia and how her interest in political and social activism was shaped by her youth. She then talks about her time in WCU's student government, including how the Vietnam War affected campus life. She touches on student and community attitudes surrounding Vietnam War related activism, as well as around other social issues such as women's rights, sexuality and the presence of a Planned Parenthood in West Chester. With regards to the Vietnam War, Ritter talks about the GI Bill, POW bracelets, her interaction with veterans, and the question of children of American soldiers and Vietnamese women. Ritter describes the culture of the 70s as well as differences between students in the 70s and students now, finishing her interview on the idea of youth apathy and the importance of political awareness and involvement.

Interview Keyword

Intercollegiate Governmental Association Philadelphia race riots Planned Parenthood Women's Rights movement G.I. Bill

Interview LC Subject

West Chester University of Pennsylvania Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Civil rights demonstrations Post-traumatic stress disorder Veterans

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.