Episode 8: WITCH in Action

On Halloween of 1968, a coven of witches in black robes and pointy hats hexed Wall Street. They called themselves WITCH—Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell—but there was nothing international or violent about this guerrilla theater protest group that emerged in the early days of the women’s liberation movement. We talk with Bev Grant about WITCH’s origins at the Miss America Beauty Pageant, and Heather Booth, who was part of a coven in Chicago. Historian Joyce Antler puts WITCH into context.

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Released October 27, 2016

WITCH hexing Wall Street, October 31, 1968, New York. Courtesy of Bev Grant.
Peggy Dobbins and the Miss America puppet, September 7, 1968, Atlantic City. Courtesy of Bev Grant.
Miss America puppet and the Freedom Trashcan, September 7, 1968, Atlantic City. Courtesy of Bev Grant.
The Miss America Pageant protest, September 7, 1968, Atlantic City. Courtesy of Bev Grant.
WITCH hexing Wall Street, October 31, 1968, New York. Courtesy of Bev Grant.
The Miss America Pageant protest, September 7, 1968, Atlantic City. Courtesy of Bev Grant.