March 2026

Journalist Jessica Mitford — one of the infamous Mitford family sisters — was an American communist, civil rights activist, and muckraking journalist. Ms. Mitford escaped to the United States in pursuit of justice and independence. She married American civil rights attorney Robert Treuhaft, and together they worked with the Civil Rights Congress. The couple joined the Communist Party USA, and when called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, they refused to testify. Mitford became a U.S. citizen in 1944 and eventually made her home in Oakland, where she continued her lifelong advocacy for civil liberties, racial justice, and prison reform. 

Redacted is an upcoming show inviting artists to work with images found in the Library of Congress.
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This drawing of Ms. Mitford shows her against a background of the House Un–American Committee hearings, a young Richard Nixon is seated to the right.

“Jessica” Graphite and Watercolor 8”x8” 2026