In August of 1963, the streets of Washington, DC were filled with the voices of thousands of people fighting for justice and equality. Kathleen Bethel ’89 MA, then just 10 years old, understood that attending the March on Washington would be a historic moment.
Today, after serving as Northwestern University’s African American studies librarian for 40 years, Bethel’s legacy reaches far beyond the books and archives she has built.
John Dorr, interim director of McCormick Library, attested to Bethel’s ability to connect with anyone seeking her expertise. “After spending time and sharing laughter with Kathleen, her visitors would leave as friends and colleagues,” he said.
Bethel’s passion for knowledge and community was fostered by her childhood surroundings. Her home was filled with reading materials, including a well-used set of 1935 World Book encyclopedias, Jet magazines, two daily newspapers, and The Afro-American weekly. Several of her aunts were librarians, and one served in the foreign service in Africa. Her maternal grandmother had earned her high school diploma, a difficult achievement during the Jim Crow era.
When Bethel encountered racism on her first day as a student at Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University), she remained determined. Her commitment to engaging with and supporting Black communities and organizations continued throughout her career.
After earning her BA from Elmhurst in 1975, Bethel worked at the Newberry Library, one of Chicago’s most historic cultural institutions. She then earned her MA degree in library science from Rosary College (now Dominican University) and spent four years as an assistant librarian at the iconic Johnson Publishing Company, home to Ebony and Jet magazines.
Bethel joined Northwestern in 1982, and her role as an integral part of the African American studies department only grew from there. Department Chair Mary E. Pattillo attested to Bethel’s impact on curriculum development, article and book research, and student learning in the department.
As Bethel prepares to retire at the end of this academic year, her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scholars and community members alike.
Read more in Northwestern Now’s article, “Four Decades of Preserving Black History: Librarian Kathleen Bethel Prepares to Retire.”