Ann Buckles Oral History Interview

Scope and content:

Oral history conducted for the 100 Years of Coeducation commemoration. Ann Buckles arrived at William & Mary in 1949. During her time at the College, she acted in a series of plays and joined Pi Beta Phi. After graduating in 1951 with a Bachelors of Arts in Theatre, Buckles moved to New York to continue her acting career, acting in various plays, on Broadway, and in commercials. Then, she joined a spiritual movement entitled "Moral Re-Armament" for seven years. Shortly thereafter, Buckles worked as the Director of Public Relations for Harper's Bazaar and served as an Alcoholics Anonymous Counselor. Buckles later returned to acting in plays and on television. In her interview, Buckles recalls how she initially traveled to William & Mary to act in a play called "The Common Glory." Her experience convinced her to transfer to the College in 1949 to pursue a degree in Theatre. She reminisces on her positive memories both with the theatre department and with her sorority, Pi Beta Phi. She stresses that the mentorship she received from Althea Hunt was integral in her growth as an actor at the College. Buckles describes her career post-William & Mary through different anecdotes and asides. In particular, she often returns to a movement she joined called Moral Re-Armament, which she remained a part of for seven years. The movement's "four standards" of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love have guided her throughout her career and life choices, and she credits these standards for her success. While Buckles has criticisms for the contemporary state of William & Mary, she still holds her college education responsible for her continued success.

Access and use