Oral history interview with Martha Abbott

Oral history interview with Martha Abbott

Martha Abbott speaks of growing up in Burlington, Vermont and having a political awakening after the Kent State shootings in 1970. Before that she had been an English major at the University of Vermont, but dropped out to work with the newly formed Liberty Union party. She describes the formation of the party and the political figures she worked with, including former Congressman William Meyer, Peter Diamondstone, Dennis Morrisseau, and Bernie Sanders. As well, she describes the issues supported by the Liberty Union, such as representing the poor, ensuring there was a safety net, reducing the military budget, and opposing the Vietnam War. She also speaks of political activism at the University of Vermont, particularly the firing of Professor Michael Parenti, running as a Liberty Union candidate for governor in 1974, her split with the Liberty Union Party, and her involvement with the Vermont Progressive Party.

6 January 2016

AudioFile1970s-11

MP3

Audio Files

Burlington (Vt.)

Permission to publish material from the Vermont 1970s Counterculture Project must be obtained from the Vermont Historical Society.

Blofson, Kate

Abbott, Martha, 1950-

1 hr., 33 min., 1 sec.

Vermont Historical Society Library, 60 Washington Street, Barre, VT 05641-4209