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.
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Correspondence from Richard Trombly to Mary Ann Smith expressing encouragement and admiration for the An Appeal for Human Rights. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Mary Ann Smith From Richard Trombly, March 28, 1960
Date Created
1960-03-28
Author
Trombley, Warren
Description
Correspondence from Richard Trombly to Mary Ann Smith expressing encouragement and admiration for the An Appeal for Human Rights. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from Tolbert H. McCarrol of Tanner & Carney Attorneys at Law to Marry Ann Smith commending the An Appeal for Human Rights. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Mary Ann Smith From Tolbert H. McCarroll, March 29, 1960
Date Created
1960-03-29
Author
McCarrol, Tolbert H.
Description
Correspondence from Tolbert H. McCarrol of Tanner & Carney Attorneys at Law to Marry Ann Smith commending the An Appeal for Human Rights. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Mary Ann Smith and "Friends and Brothers in Christ" from Colston Chandler and Beverly Savage of the Student Christian Movement in New England. The letter supports "recent demonstrations of Southern students to oppose lunch counter segregation." 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Mary Ann Smith From Colston Chandler and Beverly Savage, March 30, 1960
Date Created
1960-03-30
Author
Chandler, Colston, Savage, Beverly
Description
Correspondence to Mary Ann Smith and "Friends and Brothers in Christ" from Colston Chandler and Beverly Savage of the Student Christian Movement in New England. The letter supports "recent demonstrations of Southern students to oppose lunch counter segregation." 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from Skip Easterly of the Young Christian Students to Mary Ann Smith expressing support and solidarity in the student movement and the release of the An Appeal for Human Rights. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Mary Ann Smith From Skip Easterly, March 30, 1960
Date Created
1960-03-30
Author
Easterly, Skip
Description
Correspondence from Skip Easterly of the Young Christian Students to Mary Ann Smith expressing support and solidarity in the student movement and the release of the An Appeal for Human Rights. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from Rod J. Pera on behalf of the student senate at Hershey Junior College to the Student Body President at Morris Brown College, addressed to Mary Ann Smith, the secretary. The letter is to express solidarity with the release of the An Appeal for Human Rights. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Morris Brown College Student Body President From the Hershey Junior College Student Senate,
Date Created
1960-03-31
Creator
Hershey Junior College Student Senate
Description
Correspondence from Rod J. Pera on behalf of the student senate at Hershey Junior College to the Student Body President at Morris Brown College, addressed to Mary Ann Smith, the secretary. The letter is to express solidarity with the release of the An Appeal for Human Rights. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from A. Philip Randolph, Bernard Lee, Harry Belafonte, and Curtis Ganz of the Committee to Defend Martin Luther King Jr. to the public asking to sign the petition and pledge against Woolworth. The petition condemns Woolworths' inequitable service to Black people, and the pledge serves as notice not to buy from the business. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence From the Committee to Defend Martin Luther King Jr. to the Public, April 1960
Date Created
1960-04
Description
Correspondence from A. Philip Randolph, Bernard Lee, Harry Belafonte, and Curtis Ganz of the Committee to Defend Martin Luther King Jr. to the public asking to sign the petition and pledge against Woolworth. The petition condemns Woolworths' inequitable service to Black people, and the pledge serves as notice not to buy from the business. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document for the student conference at Shaw University, explores the psychology behind non-violent resistance, comparing it to the principles of Jiu-jitsu. It describes how non-violence and goodwill can cause an attacker to lose moral balance and feel insecure. The victim's kindness, generosity, and voluntary suffering pull the attacker forward, further destabilizing them. The document emphasizes that violence exhausts the attacker, and the appeals of a non-violent resister appeal to their more decent and kindly motives, creating a conflict within the attacker's personality. The presence of onlookers further affects the attacker's poise and perception of their conduct. The document asserts that when conducted openly, non-violent resistance can garner public support and react against the attacker. It highlights the advantages of the non-violent resister, including moral initiative, self-control, conservation of energy, and sincerity, which is seen as a powerful force. The refusal to use violence is seen as a sign of respect for the assailant's personality and moral integrity. 3 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"The Psychology of Non Violence", April 1960
Date Created
1960-04
Creator
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Description
This document for the student conference at Shaw University, explores the psychology behind non-violent resistance, comparing it to the principles of Jiu-jitsu. It describes how non-violence and goodwill can cause an attacker to lose moral balance and feel insecure. The victim's kindness, generosity, and voluntary suffering pull the attacker forward, further destabilizing them. The document emphasizes that violence exhausts the attacker, and the appeals of a non-violent resister appeal to their more decent and kindly motives, creating a conflict within the attacker's personality. The presence of onlookers further affects the attacker's poise and perception of their conduct. The document asserts that when conducted openly, non-violent resistance can garner public support and react against the attacker. It highlights the advantages of the non-violent resister, including moral initiative, self-control, conservation of energy, and sincerity, which is seen as a powerful force. The refusal to use violence is seen as a sign of respect for the assailant's personality and moral integrity. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, African American students, African American universities and colleges
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This is a schedule of the "Youth Leadership Conference On Nonviolent Resistance" held at Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina. The program shows a three-day conference. Student leaders and activists converged at Shaw University to discuss and organize committees for the student sit-in movement, topics of protesting and picketing, the philosophy of nonviolence, and the legal implications of sit-in protest with the risk of jail. 4 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Youth Leadership Conference on Nonviolent Resistance, April 1960
Date Created
1960-04
Creator
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Description
This is a schedule of the "Youth Leadership Conference On Nonviolent Resistance" held at Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina. The program shows a three-day conference. Student leaders and activists converged at Shaw University to discuss and organize committees for the student sit-in movement, topics of protesting and picketing, the philosophy of nonviolence, and the legal implications of sit-in protest with the risk of jail. 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, African American students, African American universities and colleges
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document presents six fundamental aspects of nonviolence as outlined by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It emphasizes that nonviolent resistance is not for cowards and requires active spiritual engagement. Nonviolence seeks to win the friendship and understanding of opponents rather than defeat or humiliate them. The focus is on combating forces of evil, not individuals perpetrating evil. Nonviolent resisters are willing to accept suffering without retaliation and believe in the redemptive power of unearned suffering. Internal violence of the spirit, such as hate, is rejected in favor of love as the guiding principle. Nonviolent resistance is based on the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice, instilling faith in a future of cosmic companionship and universal wholeness. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Six Basic Aspects of Non Violence", April 1960
Date Created
1960-04
Creator
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Description
This document presents six fundamental aspects of nonviolence as outlined by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It emphasizes that nonviolent resistance is not for cowards and requires active spiritual engagement. Nonviolence seeks to win the friendship and understanding of opponents rather than defeat or humiliate them. The focus is on combating forces of evil, not individuals perpetrating evil. Nonviolent resisters are willing to accept suffering without retaliation and believe in the redemptive power of unearned suffering. Internal violence of the spirit, such as hate, is rejected in favor of love as the guiding principle. Nonviolent resistance is based on the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice, instilling faith in a future of cosmic companionship and universal wholeness. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, African American students, African American universities and colleges
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document offers a firsthand account of the Dharasana Salt Satyagraha, where many volunteers in India protested against police regulations. Following Gandhi's principle of non-violence, the volunteers endured beatings without retaliating. The report emphasizes the discipline, determination, and refusal to disperse demonstrated by the volunteers, who viewed their injuries as martyrdom for the cause of Indian independence. The scenes witnessed were astonishing, defying the expectation of violence, and the reporter expresses feelings of disgust and emotional impact, having covered numerous civil disturbances and rebellions in the past. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Enduring Injury for the Cause", April 1960
Date Created
1960-04
Creator
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Description
This document offers a firsthand account of the Dharasana Salt Satyagraha, where many volunteers in India protested against police regulations. Following Gandhi's principle of non-violence, the volunteers endured beatings without retaliating. The report emphasizes the discipline, determination, and refusal to disperse demonstrated by the volunteers, who viewed their injuries as martyrdom for the cause of Indian independence. The scenes witnessed were astonishing, defying the expectation of violence, and the reporter expresses feelings of disgust and emotional impact, having covered numerous civil disturbances and rebellions in the past. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, African American students, African American universities and colleges, African American mayors
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from Harvey Pressman of the Emergency Public Integration Committee to Committee on An Appeal for Human Rights. The letter details EPIC activities and membership and is a call to action for May 17 student demonstration. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Committee on An Appeal for Human Rights From Harvey Pressman, April 2, 1960
Date Created
1960-04-02
Author
Pressman, Harvey
Description
Correspondence from Harvey Pressman of the Emergency Public Integration Committee to Committee on An Appeal for Human Rights. The letter details EPIC activities and membership and is a call to action for May 17 student demonstration. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Office memorandum from Connie Curry of the Southern Student Human Relations Project to Mary Ann Smith asking that she find a student to attend the Leadership Conference and Workshop. The Leadership Conference and Workshop details are included. The event is held by the Greater Atlanta Council on Human Relations on "the immorality of racial segregation." 3 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Mary Ann Smith From Connie Curry, April 8, 1960
Date Created
1960-04-08
Author
Curry, Constance, 1933-2020
Description
Office memorandum from Connie Curry of the Southern Student Human Relations Project to Mary Ann Smith asking that she find a student to attend the Leadership Conference and Workshop. The Leadership Conference and Workshop details are included. The event is held by the Greater Atlanta Council on Human Relations on "the immorality of racial segregation." 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from PHAON at the Political Action Committee with the NAACP to Mary Ann Smith about reproducing student movement fliers for free. 3 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Mary Ann Smith From PHAON, April 12, 1960
Date Created
1960-04-12
Creator
PHANON
Description
Correspondence from PHAON at the Political Action Committee with the NAACP to Mary Ann Smith about reproducing student movement fliers for free. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
In this series of newsletters from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), various updates are provided on the progress of the sit-in movement and desegregation efforts in the early 1960s. Highlights include a drop in sales at Woolworth, a meeting of sit-in movement leaders in North Carolina, assaults on sit-inners in Missouri, integration of lunch counters in Nashville, and support from religious groups for the sit-ins. The newsletters also mention the dismissal of an activist from his position and announce an upcoming training institute in nonviolent, direct action techniques. 4 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
CORE Sit Down Newsletter, April 25, 1960
Date Created
1960-04-25
Creator
Congress of Racial Equality
Description
In this series of newsletters from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), various updates are provided on the progress of the sit-in movement and desegregation efforts in the early 1960s. Highlights include a drop in sales at Woolworth, a meeting of sit-in movement leaders in North Carolina, assaults on sit-inners in Missouri, integration of lunch counters in Nashville, and support from religious groups for the sit-ins. The newsletters also mention the dismissal of an activist from his position and announce an upcoming training institute in nonviolent, direct action techniques. 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Invitation for Mary Ann Smith to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak at the First Congregational Church. Invitation by the Greater Atlanta Council on Human Relations and Georgia Council on Human Relations. Invitation includes evening program with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s talk titled "The Struggle for Racial Justice". 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Invitation for Mary Ann Smith To Hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., April 29, 1960
Date Created
1960-04-29
Description
Invitation for Mary Ann Smith to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak at the First Congregational Church. Invitation by the Greater Atlanta Council on Human Relations and Georgia Council on Human Relations. Invitation includes evening program with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s talk titled "The Struggle for Racial Justice". 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, African American churches
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from Harvey Pressman of Emergency Public Integration Committee to Committee on An Appeal for Human Rights. The letter lists schools participating in racial equality demonstrations, asking Committee on Appeal or Human Rights to add to it. 4 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Committee on An Appeal for Human Rights From Harvey Pressman, April 29, 1960
Date Created
1960-04-29
Author
Pressman, Harvey
Description
Correspondence from Harvey Pressman of Emergency Public Integration Committee to Committee on An Appeal for Human Rights. The letter lists schools participating in racial equality demonstrations, asking Committee on Appeal or Human Rights to add to it. 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document contains the minutes and reports document from the first meeting of the Temporary Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from May 13-14, 1960, with Marion S. Berry, Jr. as the chairman and James Thomas as the secretary. The document offers the attendance and agenda, the statement of purpose for SNCC, committee reports, and drafted press releases. Key figures mentioned: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Lonnie C. King, Ella Baker, and Marion S. Barry. 11 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
SNCC Report, First Meeting Held Atlanta University, May 1960
Date Created
1960-05
Creator
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
Description
This document contains the minutes and reports document from the first meeting of the Temporary Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from May 13-14, 1960, with Marion S. Berry, Jr. as the chairman and James Thomas as the secretary. The document offers the attendance and agenda, the statement of purpose for SNCC, committee reports, and drafted press releases. Key figures mentioned: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Lonnie C. King, Ella Baker, and Marion S. Barry. 11 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, African American students, African American universities and colleges, African American mayors
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from Curt Carter, student body president at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana to Mary Ann Smith to show solidarity and support in the release of Appeal for Human Rights. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Mary Ann Smith From Curt Carter, May 2, 1960
Date Created
1960-05-02
Author
Carter, Curt
Description
Correspondence from Curt Carter, student body president at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana to Mary Ann Smith to show solidarity and support in the release of Appeal for Human Rights. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from Ella Baker on behalf of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Inc., to Mary Ann Smith asking to spread the word of an upcoming talk by Kenneth Kaunda about the nonviolent student movement. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Mary Ann Smith From Ella Baker, May 2, 1960
Date Created
1960-05-02
Author
Baker, Ella, 1903-1986
Creator
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Inc.
Description
Correspondence from Ella Baker on behalf of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Inc., to Mary Ann Smith asking to spread the word of an upcoming talk by Kenneth Kaunda about the nonviolent student movement. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from Forrest Green, President at the Detroit Morehouse Alumni Association to Don Clarke of the Student Defense Fund at Morehouse College. The letter includes a donation to the Student Defense Fund with plans to raise and donate $1,500. Donation in support of the Appeal for Human Rights. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence to Don Clarke From Forrest Green, May 4, 1960
Date Created
1960-05-04
Author
Green, Forrest
Description
Correspondence from Forrest Green, President at the Detroit Morehouse Alumni Association to Don Clarke of the Student Defense Fund at Morehouse College. The letter includes a donation to the Student Defense Fund with plans to raise and donate $1,500. Donation in support of the Appeal for Human Rights. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism