Currently on display are highlights from the Ralph Fertig collection that showcase his participation in the 1961 Freedom Rides, along with various achievements from different stages in his career. Ralph Fertig led an eventful career at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work from 2002 to 2016—engaging students in efforts to end homelessness in Los Angeles, working to establish a “Center for Effective Advocacy” on campus, and co-authoring a book on USC's early role in social work education in the Los Angeles area. With the recent donation of his papers to USC's University Archives, Fertig’s achievements at USC, along with his past work as a federal administrative judge, civil rights lawyer, and activist, come to life through the personal narratives, collected clippings, correspondence, and other primary resources that comprise his collection.
This exhibit is one of a series of efforts by the USC Libraries and the USC Dworak-Peck School of Social Work to honor Fertig and celebrate the publication of his new book, Social Work and Social Justice. The USC Libraries and the School of Social Work will host a celebration of Fertig's lifetime of advocacy on March 6 at 3:30 PM in Doheny Library, Room 241.
The exhibition will be on view at Doheny Library Special Collections on the 2nd floor until March 31st.
