Classrooms of Democracy: Elaine Weiss

May 8th, 2025

“Voting is an American's participation in government.”

We discuss the history of citizenship schools, their profound importance in the Civil Rights Movement, and the critical lessons they offer for our present moment.

Elaine Weiss is a journalist, speaker, and author of Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools that Built the Civil Rights Movement. She’s also the author of The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote, which was a source for the Broadway musical SUFFS.

Your civic action toolkit recommendations from Elaine are:

1. Share the power of voting with your neighbors.

2. Start your own community citizenship schools!

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Read Our Guests’ Books!:

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Sponsors:

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Early episodes for Patreon supporters:

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Credits:

Host: Mila Atmos 

Guest: Elaine Weiss

Executive Producer: Mila Atmos

Producer: Zack Travis