Tag Archives: activism

A Berkeley Girl Looks Back

Posted on May 10, 2018 by elisefrancesmiller

Fifty years ago this month, the May Revolution began in Paris and spread throughout France. The population of France was just over 50 million, and 10 million workers went out on strike. Imagine if today, out of 327 million Americans, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1968, current-events, literature, Protests today and in 1968, Reading groups | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Other Life – Explaining my Unexpected List of New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on January 3, 2018 by elisefrancesmiller

It occurred to me after I received such a lovely response from my New Year’s Resolutions post, that many of my novel-and-blog readers might be confused! I wrote: “Lots of New Years Resolutions, beginning with attending the Women’s March, then … Continue reading →

Posted in 1968, Family history, literature | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

How The Berkeley Girl series isn’t “chick lit” – stories for men, too?

Posted on December 2, 2017 by elisefrancesmiller

I’m aware and concerned that very few men will want to read a book entitled “The Berkeley Girl.” And why should they? How can you, who are my female readers from three generations, place it into the hands of the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1968, 60s stereotypes, activism today, anti-war protest, literature for men, novels for men, Uncategorized, Vietnam War veterans, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why I wrote The Berkeley Girl: Rendezvous in London – and other Stories of the ‘60s

Posted on September 22, 2017 by elisefrancesmiller

Note to readers: If your Bay Area book club, service group or other organization is looking for a speaker and discussion, I’d be happy to present about my books, the late 1960s, current events or any other related topics of … Continue reading →

Posted in activism today, Sources for published works, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My Confessions from the Summer of Love

Posted on June 21, 2017 by elisefrancesmiller

During the Summer of Love I was in Berkeley—not in San Francisco. Recently, listening to a PBS special on the Beatles’ masterpiece, “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” brought me back, as only music can do.*  The Beatles and their … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and society, Music and society, Summer of Love 1967, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Perspective on yesterday’s Women’s March from 49 years ago

Posted on January 22, 2017 by elisefrancesmiller

When Jay and I, with our friends Mary and Stu, joined 100,000 Bay Area protestors yesterday at Civic Center, I was struck by how similar the rally and Women’s March were to events I witnessed in Paris nearly 49 years … Continue reading →

Posted in activism today, Protests today and in 1968 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Music Stirs Public Movements and Special Private Moments

Posted on September 23, 2016 by elisefrancesmiller

Does music play the same role as the visual arts or literature in inspiring social or political action? Listen to “Do You Hear The People Sing” from Les Miserables [press “Skip Ad”!]. We can barely hear the lyrics, but as … Continue reading →

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The Radical View – How Art’s Possibilities Changed America (reprise)

Posted on September 9, 2016 by elisefrancesmiller

[Note: The following is excerpted and updated from my Nov. 2012 blog of the same title–one followed by more readers than any other that year. Please read on to find out why I was inspired to repeat this subject by … Continue reading →

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How Summer Camp and Social Justice Have Changed!

Posted on July 22, 2016 by elisefrancesmiller

When my daughter Amy suggested a “socialist summer camp” in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for our getaway together, my heart began to race. Would they pontificate around the campfire? Would they be advocating world revolution over the Mac … Continue reading →

Posted in activism today, progressives at summer camp, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Do it for yourself (not just for your kids)

Posted on September 12, 2014 by elisefrancesmiller

Note to friends of my blog: Is this still about the 1960s? Oh yes…from the 1960s to the 21st century and beyond. In 1998, I retired from San Diego State University and as a state employee for 16 years, became … Continue reading →

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