Tom Unterman, Rebecca Mead Unterman, and Amy Vandiver
Tom Unterman, Rebecca Mead Unterman, and Amy Vandiver Tom Unterman, Rebecca Mead Unterman, and Amy Vandiver Tom Unterman, Rebecca Mead Unterman, and Amy Vandiver Tom Unterman, Rebecca Mead Unterman, and Amy Vandiver

Tom Unterman, Rebecca Mead Unterman, and Amy Vandiver

Recorded September 24, 2020 Archived September 24, 2020 39:28 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id: ddv000240

Description

Tom Unterman (75) shares stories of his dedication to equality and his political activism with his daughters, Rebecca “Becky” Unterman Mead (39) and Amy Vandiver (35).

Subject Log / Time Code

01:06
AV remarks on TU’s longstanding dedication to the marginalized and asks him to reflect on its roots. He remembers how growing up Jewish and facing anti-semitism impacted him; his relationships with people of minority backgrounds/identities too.
03:21
TU continues to reflect on the roots of his dedication to equality and activism - his mother’s interest in civil rights; he once heard Martin Luther King Jr. speak; he came of age in the 60s; the work he did as a lawyer.
12:26
On AV’s prompting, TU reflects on moments of conflict he experience between his social justice work and his work in corporations. He remembers being running into a partner at his firm while boycotting work in protest of the Vietnam War with the Downtown Peace Coalition.
16:24
TU reflects on how his contemporaries found his activism "threatening," and other moments he struck out on the majority opinion.
19:55
TU shares memories of his parents. His father taught him to always put in his best efforts; he also remembers challenges in their relationship.
22:50
TU on his mother - he grew up around her family; she returned to school and became an artist. He also shares a specific memory of his mom - going to the March on Washington with her.
26:44
TU reflects on the current political moment with the coronavirus pandemic, uprisings for racial justice, and more, in light of his experiences in the '60s.
31:40
TU reflects on his relationship with his wife, Janet, and how she has shaped him. “I’d become really numb and transactional in personal relationships,” he says reflecting on their relationship.
34:46
TU shares wisdom for his grandchildren - honesty; integrity; and the importance of finding work one enjoys and using that to make a social contribution.

Participants

  • Tom Unterman
  • Rebecca Mead Unterman
  • Amy Vandiver

Venue / Recording Kit

Partnership

Partnership Type

Fee for Service