Outside the Magic Circle: The Autobiography of Virginia Foster Durr

"Outside the Magic Circle: The Autobiography of Virginia Foster Durr" vividly recounts the life of Virginia Foster Durr, a woman who stepped beyond the expected roles of Southern femininity to engage deeply in the struggles for racial justice, economic equality, and voting rights. Raised in the early 20th century Birmingham as the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, Virginia's journey from a young student at Wellesley to a key figure in the civil rights movement encapsulates a profound narrative of rebellion against social norms. Her marriage to Clifford Durr placed her at the heart of the New Deal era in Washington, D.C., where she fought against the poll tax and later, alongside Clifford, took on civil rights cases in Montgomery. This autobiography not only explores the personal toll of such a life but also celebrates the joys of living authentically against the grain. Published on June 30, 1990, this book is an essential read for college students studying social justice, providing a personal lens through which to view the complexities of America's struggle towards equality. It encourages readers to question: How can one person's courage to live out their convictions change the world?