Tom Hayden

Tom Hayden was a towering figure of the 1960s New Left, known for his relentless anti‑war, civil‑rights, and participatory‑democracy activism. Born on December 11, 1939 in Royal Oak, Michigan, he grew up in a Catholic school before breaking with the church as a teenager, later editing the Michigan Daily at the University of Michigan and co‑authoring the seminal Port Huron Statement that called for a new, more inclusive left. His early work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee placed him on the front lines of Freedom Rides, and his experience as a community organizer in Newark forged his lifelong commitment to economic justice, racial equality, and grassroots empowerment. Hayden’s activism extended to the national stage when he helped lead the protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, was tried as part of the “Chicago Seven,” and co‑founded the Indochina Peace Campaign, influencing public opinion on the Vietnam War.

In the 1970s he married actress Jane Fonda, with whom he had a son, Troy Garity, and later wed Barbara Williams, adopting another child. Transitioning into electoral politics, Hayden served in the California State Assembly (1982‑1992) and State Senate (1992‑2000), championing legislation such as the Hayden Act for animal‑rights and student‑representation fees. He taught at several universities, authored nineteen books, and remained a vocal progressive voice well into the 21st century, endorsing Barack Obama and advocating for climate and social justice. Hayden died on October 23, 2016 in Santa Monica, leaving a legacy of passionate advocacy that continues to inspire activists across generations.