Peggy Dennis

Peggy Dennis (January 1, 1909 – September 25, 1993) was an American–Russian journalist, author, and Communist activist known for her association with the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). She wrote a memoir, The Autobiography of an American Communist: A Personal View of a Political Life, that provides information about the CPUSA and the life of its female leaders.

Early life Dennis was born Regina Karasick on January 1, 1909, in New York City to Russian Jewish immigrants, Meyer and Berta Karasick. The family moved to Los Angeles in 1912 and was part of the local immigrant radical community. At the age of 13, she joined the Communist children's group, organized by her older sister, Mini, with whom she attended the Socialist Party Sunday school.

Political activism Dennis worked in the Communist children's movement on assignment from the CPUSA after leaving Teachers College at the University of California after a year. She married a fellow Communist named Bill, but the marriage didn't last long. She then entered a relationship with Frank Waldron, the educational director for the Communist Party in Southern California, who later became known as Eugene Dennis.

Communist movement in the Soviet Union In 1930, Eugene fled to the Soviet Union after being indicted for his labor activities, and Dennis and Tim joined him the next year. After this, he began representation work for the international Communist movement in Moscow, traveling to different countries and helping with the Communist parties struggle. Then, in 1933, Dennis was recognized by the Comintern for her political talents and became an official courier.