The Mary Ann Smith Wilson - Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism spans the dates 1948-2008 with the bulk of the material dated 1960-1967. The collection documents both Ruby Doris Smith Robinson's and Mary Ann Smith Wilson's participation in the civil rights movement and the organizations with which they were affiliated. Although the collection documents both sisters' activities, the bulk of the collection reflects Ruby Doris Smith Robinson’s activism activities in the civil rights movement. Also included in the collection are photographs, correspondences, news articles, programs, reports, and flyers.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library, we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
Aug 7, 2023

Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism

The Mary Ann Smith Wilson - Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism spans the dates 1948-2008 with the bulk of the material dated 1960-1967. The collection documents both Ruby Doris Smith Robinson's and Mary Ann Smith Wilson's participation in the civil rights movement and the organizations with which they were affiliated. Although the collection documents both sisters' activities, the bulk of the collection reflects Ruby Doris Smith Robinson’s activism activities in the civil rights movement. Also included in the collection are photographs, correspondences, news articles, programs, reports, and flyers.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library, we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.

For:
  • Subjects = African American students
This document is meeting minutes from the SNCC Executive Committee on September 4th, 1964. The meeting minutes are a transcript of the committee members. On the agenda for the meeting were the Fall programs, the Summer program of 1965, personnel reports,  health insurance, job functions, New York offices of SNCC, and salaries. 11 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This "Settling a Sit-In" brochure/report was written by Wallace Westfeldt, a journalist for the Nashville Tennessean, and is about the sit-in movement in Nashville, Tennessee. Westfeldt reports on the ethos, events, and criticism surrounding the Sit-In movement. The movement had successfully achieved its goal of integrating lunch counters in downtown Nashville stores. The settlement was reached after the black community boycott of downtown stores. 7 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This is a booklet report of SNCC's Mississippi Summer Project and the project's summary accounts of incidents. The Mississippi Summer project accounts for protests for civil rights across the United States with their outcomes for each location. The document contains statements of incidents from June 16th to August 26th. 27 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This report, authored by Wallace Westfeldt, examines the Nashville sit-in movement, which aimed to challenge racial segregation in the city. It highlights the presence of integrated schools, councils, and public facilities but emphasizes the need for integration in restaurants and diners. The report outlines the non-violent approach Fisk University, Tennessee State University, and American Baptist Theological Seminary students use during the sit-ins at downtown variety stores and bus terminals. The movement triggered arrests and raised complex legal and moral questions surrounding racial discrimination and the right to equal access to public facilities. 9 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Dona Richards proposes establishing an African Affairs Department within the SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee). The proposed department aims to serve as an educational and politically programmatic project, fostering a connection between the struggles of black people in the United States against exploitation and the fight for self-determination of black people abroad. Specific areas of the project include research on African nations and U.S. involvement on the continent, organizing workshops with African diplomats and cultural groups, developing relationships with African individuals and governments, and promoting identification with African heritage to inspire and empower young activists within the movement. The proposal explores funding possibilities and encourages input from interested parties to develop the project further. 4 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
The Proposed Welfare Program aims to streamline and support the welfare application process for eligible individuals through a comprehensive approach. The program includes multiple steps, including informing the community about available assistance and rights. Trained associates guide in determining eligibility, completing application forms, and locating local welfare offices. In case of a denied application or lack of response from the state welfare department, the program assists applicants in requesting a fair hearing, offering legal representation when necessary. This initiative strives to ensure equitable access to welfare benefits and continuously expands its resources to include state-specific welfare handbooks. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Cooperatives" is a practical guide to forming and operating cooperatives (coops), focusing on businesses owned and controlled by people patronizing the enterprise. The guide covers crucial aspects of establishing a cooperative, such as conducting a feasibility study, determining potential membership, required management skills, facilities, operating costs, and necessary capital. It also emphasizes the significance of incorporation regulations, available community resources, and other relevant considerations. The document further provides insights into the scope of business, membership qualifications, representation on the Board of Directors, and obtaining capital through subscriptions while stressing the importance of legal aid throughout the cooperative's establishment process. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Students' Grievances and Demands: A Call for Quality Education at William Bryant High School" is a compelling document expressing the concerns of students regarding numerous health hazards and inadequacies within the school. The students highlight issues such as inadequate heating, broken windows, and a lack of essential resources like textbooks, teachers, and proper facilities. They call upon the County, State, and community to take action and support their fight for an education that ensures a fair chance for every student, with proper access to quality education and a safe learning environment. The document emphasizes the ongoing struggle of the students and seeks community involvement to achieve positive change. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document is a study and report published by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) about population statistics of Mississippi between "nonwhite" people and white people, with the term "nonwhite people" used interchangeably with "Negroes" due to the significant overlap in the population. It acknowledges that the data about nonwhites can be considered representative of the conditions faced explicitly by Negroes, as 99.6 percent of the total nonwhite population and 99.7 percent of nonwhite farm operators in Mississippi were Negroes in 1960. The report provides general information rather than specific details. 18 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Judy Yearby, a high school student, wrote a report on famed agriculture chemist George Washington Carver on February 12, 1965. Yearby wrote a biographical report about Carver's life starting in 1864 and when he passed on January 5, 1943. Yearby describes Carver's family during his childhood and then goes into his young adulthood. She describes how he received his MS from Iowa State College after hitchhiking a ride on a covered wagon. 7 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Lucille Everett, an 11th grader, wrote a high school paper on February 12, 1965, about the Civil Rights Bill passed in 1964. The high school paper critiques the purpose of the Civil Rights and the bill's practicality for African American citizens. Everett scrutinizes the bill for only benefiting the wealthiest and middle-class African Americans while it leaves the lower-class African Americans out. Everett talks about how little the bill does for African Americans and keeps the social and economic conditions for African Americans the same. 4 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) issued a protest telegram to the Governor of Mississippi, Ross Barnett, expressing condemnation of the treatment of African American citizens in Jackson, Mississippi. The telegram criticized the "barbarous and uncivil display" exhibited by law enforcement officials during a peaceful protest outside the courthouse. The protest aimed to support nine African American college students who had been jailed for seeking service in a public library. SNCC urged Governor Barnett to take decisive action to end the unjust treatment of Mississippi's African American population. Additionally, the SNCC commended the students of Tougaloo College for their efforts against racial segregation in Jackson and praised their dedication, nonviolent spirit, courage, and vision of a free society. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Stokely Carmichael, Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), issued a statement condemning the bombing and burning of Black churches in the American South. Carmichael argues that these acts of violence are traditional methods employed by white racists to express their disdain and hatred towards African Americans who dare to protest against their inhumane treatment and degradation. He criticizes the lack of response from federal, state, and local authorities and the FBI, who fail to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Carmichael sees this as a reflection of white America's approval and collaboration in perpetuating racism. He highlights recent church bombings in Lowndes County, Alabama, where Viola Liuzzo and Jonathan Daniels were murdered, and emphasizes the routine investigations conducted by authorities that yield no substantial results. Carmichael draws parallels between the current state of affairs and the Reconstruction era, pointing out the ousting of Adam Clayton Powell from Congress as evidence of continued oppression. He suggests that Black people increasingly recognize the need to fight back against the long history of genocide, lynchings, bombings, and burnings, asserting that these acts will only strengthen their resolve for justice. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
News article from the Atlanta Inquirer about Ruby D. Smith and other student protestors serving jail time in South Carolina. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This flash update from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) provides information about recent arrests and convictions of SNCC members in various locations. In Rock Hill, South Carolina, four SNCC members were convicted of trespassing in Good's Drug Store and chose to serve a 30-day jail sentence. In Lynchburg, Virginia, six college students, including two African Americans, pleaded guilty to violating Virginia's anti-trespass law and were sentenced to 30 days. In Atlanta, Georgia, over 70 Atlanta University students were arrested for continued sit-in activities, refusing to accept the bond and indicating their intention to remain in jail. The students were charged with violating Georgia's anti-trespass law. A partial list of arrested students is included, with a note indicating that the list is incomplete due to recent arrests. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document is in commemoration, titled "February 1st Freedom Day Action",  of the first sit-in protest on February 1st, 1960. The document celebrates successful sit-in protests across the United States because of the large-scale participation from students. The document highlights the events before and after February 1st. As well the document mentions the Sit-In protest at theaters across the country. 3 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document is a correspondence letter from Edward B. King. Jr., to Mary Ann Smith on December 30th, 1960. In the letter, King reminds Smith that the Coordinating Committee voted to meet on January 7th, 1961, on the Fisk University campus. King explains the meeting is about the final plans for the February 1st "Sit-In" Anniversary Action Day Project and requests Mary Ann Smith to respond if she plans on attending the meeting. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document has two items: a correspondence letter from Edward B. King to SNCC about the minutes from the Coordinating Committee meeting on November 25th-27th, 1960, and the minutes from the meeting. In the letter, King urges other coordinating committee members to review the minutes and follow the recommendations passed by delegates from the SNCC general conference. He also encourages recipients of the letter to confirm if they can attend future meetings and events. The record minutes include a review of the October general conference, communication, finances, area reports, office reports, and the future role of the coordinating committee. Some key figures mentioned are Ella Baker and Martin Luther King, Jr. 12 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This is a steering committee meeting document for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee with the minutes, proposed agenda with a schedule, and recommendations for finances and communications for SNCC. The sections of the committee report include the coordination of the organization with notes from the general conference, communication logistics, and finances of SNCC. In the financial report section, there is a list of receipts of funds received and paid out from October 16 to November 22, 1960. A key figure mentioned is Marion S. Barry, Jr. 10 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and student leader Lonnie King, along with other members of the sit-in group, refuse bail following their arrest for violating the state�s trespass law in Fulton County on Wednesday. On Wednesday at 9:00 AM, around 200 students gathered on the Atlanta University campus to break into 11 groups and go to specific eating facilities in the city, marking the beginning of the sit-ins. After being arrested for disturbing the peace, the students remained calm even as they were held in the modern Jefferson Street prison. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism