American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky

Bill Allison, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, acted as an appeals attorney for one of the Black Six defendants, Ruth Bryant. The Black Six were a group of five men and one woman who were prosecuted for inciting rebellion during the Parkland Uprising of 1968. Allison also represented the Black Panthers in Louisville and in Memphis, Tennessee. In this interview, Allison speaks about cases he was involved in involving government repression and retaliation against Civil Rights activists and how he became involved in that work through the Southern Conference Educational Fund, serving as SCEF's lawyer from 1969 to 1974.

Cunningham credits her Catholic education for her affinity to social justice issues. After a brief stint in Chicago, she returns to Louisville in 1968 and becomes involved in the “coffee house movement” and eventually begins working for the Kentucky Civil Liberties Union (KCLU). In the interview, Cunningham offers an insider’s view into the organization’s activities related to school desegregation, improving jail conditions and assisting conscientious objectors. The bulk of the interview deals with the work of the Women’s Right Committee, a new effort at the time within the KCLU that focused on the intersection of civil liberties and women’s concerns and bringing those discussion to the forefront, both in the public arena and in the priorities of the KCLU. Topics include reproductive freedom, the Anaconda Aluminum case, and the growing recognition among women and the general public that gender discrimination existed and that the KCLU sought to be involved in changing the status quo. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, raised in the city’s South End, Cunningham attended Catherine Spalding College, now Spalding University, and graduated in 1967 with a degree in English. She attended the University of Louisville Law School and graduated in 1978. Her first job after college was in Chicago in 1968 at a market research firm. From 1971 to 1976, served as the office manager for the Kentucky Civil Liberties Union (KCLU), now called the ACLU of Kentucky. Cunningham was KCLU’s only staff person for three of those five years. Archival materials at the University of Louisville indicate that Cunningham was instrumental in the daily workings of the organization, and particularly with the KCLU’s Women’s Rights Committee.

Friedman began working with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky in 1983 as a volunteer cooperating attorney. A year later (1984), Friedman became the group’s general counsel and served in that position for 25 years often taking the lead on cases that dealt with reproductive freedom, separation of church and state, freedom of speech and other civil liberties issues. In 2005, he successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the ACLU of Kentucky that the display of the Ten Commandments in a courthouse violated constitutional principles. Friedman talks about his great pride in the ACLU’s mission, a genuine and personal passion for the legal work, the importance of educating the public on civil liberties and how media relations played a role in that work. He also discusses how Kentucky’s politics and culture have placed it on front line of efforts to protect reproductive freedom and the separation of church and state.

Born in Flushing (Queens), New York City, N.Y., Friedman attended the University at Buffalo (SUNY) as an undergraduate and Boston University School of Law, graduated in 1977. His first work after law school was in legal services. He began working with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky in 1983 as a volunteer cooperating attorney. A year later (1984), Friedman became the group’s general counsel and served in that position for 25 years often taking the lead on cases that dealt with reproductive freedom, separation of church and state, freedom of speech and other civil liberties issues. In 2005, he successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the ACLU of Kentucky that the display of the Ten Commandments in a courthouse violated constitutional principles. This is the second interview with David Friedman for this organizational history project. The previous interview was conducted by Mary Pace on March 10, 2011. That interview and its index are on deposit at the Oral History Center of the University of Louisville. In this second interview, Friedman revisits some of the same themes from his first interview: great pride in the ACLU’s mission, a genuine and personal passion for the legal work, the importance of educating the public on civil liberties and how media relations played a role in that work. Friedman discusses how Kentucky’s politics and culture have placed it on frontline of efforts to protect reproductive freedom and the separation of church and state.

Everett Hoffman, a lawyer and former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky, discusses his career and the organization's work. Born in New Orleans and raised in various parts of the U.S., Hoffman returned to Louisville, Kentucky, for his first lawyer position with the Legal Aid Society in 1983. He joined the ACLU during law school and became its executive director in 1992. Hoffman discusses the ACLU's work on social justice issues, including police misconduct, the death penalty, and reproductive freedom. He also talks about the organization's defense of free speech, even for groups like the KKK, and its efforts to reflect Kentucky's diversity. Hoffman left the ACLU in 1999.

Arthur Kling relates his experiences during the desegregation of Louisville Public Schools. His involvement with the Kentucky Civil Liberties Union and NAACP is fully discussed. He also analyzes the attitudes of people in the period of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

Former executive director of the Kentucky Civil Liberties Union, which later became the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky. Loving discusses her background, her college experiences, her involvement in social justice issues, and the work of the ACLU in Kentucky. Loving discusses her encounters with the Ku Klux Klan, the importance of protecting constitutional rights, the public's reaction to the ACLU's work, the motivation of plaintiffs and volunteers, and the organization's involvement in reproductive freedom issues. She also talks about the challenges of funding and media coverage, as well as the changes in the organization over time. Overall, Loving reflects on her experiences and the impact of the ACLU's work in Kentucky.

This is the second interview with Jessica Loving for this organizational history project. The previous interview was conducted by Mary Pace on March 2, 2011, and is often referenced in the 2013 interview. The 2011 interview and a full transcript are on deposit at the Oral History Center of the University of Louisville. In this second interview, Loving revisits some of the same themes from her first interview: reproductive freedom, separation of church and state, and free speech. Loving also describes her role as a supporter, staff person and board member with the ACLU. In her discussion of specific events or cases, Loving offers an insider’s perspective on the actions of the time and how the scope of civil liberties has expanded over the course of nearly five decades, particularly in issues dealing with the rights of women and LGBT persons.

Born in Louisville in 1933 to first-generation German Jewish American parents, Post was raised with the belief in assimilation and teaching English to immigrant parents. After graduating from high school, she majored in English in college. In 1956, she returned to Louisville and became involved with the ACLU, initially as a member and later as a plaintiff in a school integration lawsuit. During the time of school desegregation and the open housing movement, the Klan and other anti-busing groups were actively opposing integration efforts. They would gather at school board meetings and engage in protests, often leading to arrests. Susie Post, as a member of the KCLU (Kentucky Civil Liberties Union), was involved in raising bail money for those who were arrested during these protests. The presence of the Klan and their opposition to civil rights served as a catalyst for Susie Post's activism and commitment to fighting for equality and justice. She also worked on issues such as women's rights, the death penalty, and the anti-war movement. Post served as the director of the ACLU in Louisville and later became a National Vice President. She reflects on the challenges and successes of her tenure, including the Skokie case and the impact of the organization on Louisville. Post believes that the arts movement in Louisville has also contributed to the city's progressiveness. She acknowledges the personal sacrifices she made and the need for trained professionals in the organization. Post expresses pride in her work and the organizations she helped start.

Interview regarding the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).