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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"Celebration of Life" Program for Ruby Doris Smith Robinson hosted by Spelman College Departments of Education and Sociology and Save Our Children Global Network Inc. 3 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Celebration of Life Program for Ruby Doris Smith Robinson, November 3, 2007
Date Created
2007-03-11
Description
"Celebration of Life" Program for Ruby Doris Smith Robinson hosted by Spelman College Departments of Education and Sociology and Save Our Children Global Network Inc. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, African American student movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Flyer for the "Celebration of Life" Program for Ruby Doris Smith Robinson hosted by Spelman College Departments of Education and Sociology and Save Our Children Global Network Inc. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Celebration of Life Flyer for Ruby Doris Smith Robinson, November 3, 2007
Date Created
2007-03-11
Description
Flyer for the "Celebration of Life" Program for Ruby Doris Smith Robinson hosted by Spelman College Departments of Education and Sociology and Save Our Children Global Network Inc. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, African American student movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Book review of "Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson" by Cynthia Fleming. Review by Angela Brown Terrell in Spelman's Messenger Magazine Summer/Fall 1998 Issue. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Book Review for "Soon We Will Not Cry" by Cynthia Fleming, 1998
Date Created
1998
Author
Fleming, Cynthia G., 1949-
Description
Book review of "Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson" by Cynthia Fleming. Review by Angela Brown Terrell in Spelman's Messenger Magazine Summer/Fall 1998 Issue. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, African American student movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Article in Scholastic's "Oh Freedom - Kids Talk About the Civil Rights Movement with the People Who Made it Happen." Kaji Spellman with her mother Karen Spellman who mentions Ruby Doris Smith as her favorite civil rights leader. 4 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Kaji Spellman Interview With Karen Spellman, December 16, 1997
Date Created
1997-12-16
Description
Article in Scholastic's "Oh Freedom - Kids Talk About the Civil Rights Movement with the People Who Made it Happen." Kaji Spellman with her mother Karen Spellman who mentions Ruby Doris Smith as her favorite civil rights leader. 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
Meet the Author Flyer for Cynthia Griggs Fleming for her book, "Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson", books provided by WordsWorth Booksellers. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson", circa 1998
Date Created
1996/2000
Description
Meet the Author Flyer for Cynthia Griggs Fleming for her book, "Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson", books provided by WordsWorth Booksellers. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, African American student movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Meet the Author Flyer for Cynthia Griggs Fleming for her book "Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson", books provided by WordsWorth Booksellers. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson", circa 1998
Date Created
1996/2000
Description
Meet the Author Flyer for Cynthia Griggs Fleming for her book "Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson", books provided by WordsWorth Booksellers. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, African American student movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Book promotion flyer for "Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson" by Cynthia Griggs Fleming. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson", circa 1998
Date Created
1996/2000
Description
Book promotion flyer for "Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson" by Cynthia Griggs Fleming. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, African American student movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from Jerry Thornberry at the Gilman School to Cynthia Flemming at the University of Tennessee. Thornberry thanks Flemming for her essay on Ruby Doris Smith that he assigned to his Black History Class, and discusses it's effect on his students. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Letter to Cynthia Fleming From Jerry Thornberry, April 24, 1994
Date Created
1994-04-21
Author
Thornberry, Jerry
Description
Correspondence from Jerry Thornberry at the Gilman School to Cynthia Flemming at the University of Tennessee. Thornberry thanks Flemming for her essay on Ruby Doris Smith that he assigned to his Black History Class, and discusses it's effect on his students. 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
Article in the Journal of Women's History, "Black Women Activists and The Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee: The Case of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson" by Cynthia Griggs Fleming. 19 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Black Women Activists and The Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee", 1993
Date Created
1993
Author
Fleming, Cynthia G., 1949-
Description
Article in the Journal of Women's History, "Black Women Activists and The Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee: The Case of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson" by Cynthia Griggs Fleming. 19 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
Spelman Convocation Program for Ruby Doris Smith Robinson, September 12, 1991 with opening remarks by Tiffany Patterson and the main address by Dr. Cynthia Fleming. Convocation was part of the Living and Learning Program in the Fall Semester of 1991-92. 4 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Spelman Convocation Program for Ruby Doris Smith Robinson, September 12, 1991
Date Created
1991-09-12
Description
Spelman Convocation Program for Ruby Doris Smith Robinson, September 12, 1991 with opening remarks by Tiffany Patterson and the main address by Dr. Cynthia Fleming. Convocation was part of the Living and Learning Program in the Fall Semester of 1991-92. 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, African American student movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Correspondence from Elaine Williams, special collections assistant at Robert Woodruff Library to Toure Robinson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson's son about growing the Ruby Doris Smith Collection at the library. Attached is a copy of the article written by Williams and sent to Mary Ann Smith about Ruby Doris. 3 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Letter to Toure Robinson From Elaine Williams, November 30, 1990
Date Created
1990-11-30
Author
Williams, Elaine
Description
Correspondence from Elaine Williams, special collections assistant at Robert Woodruff Library to Toure Robinson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson's son about growing the Ruby Doris Smith Collection at the library. Attached is a copy of the article written by Williams and sent to Mary Ann Smith about Ruby Doris. 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 Cynthia Fleming at the University of Tennessee to Dr. Mary Ann Smith Wilson attaching snippets of books that mention Ruby Doris Smith. 6 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Letter to Mary Ann Smith Wilson From Cynthia Fleming, January 17, 1990
Date Created
1990-01-17
Author
Fleming, Cynthia G., 1949-
Description
Correspondence from Cynthia Fleming at the University of Tennessee to Dr. Mary Ann Smith Wilson attaching snippets of books that mention Ruby Doris Smith. 6 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
The text contains brief biographical information on several individuals, including Miss Delaney, a Spelmanite who established a mission in Nyasaland and Liberia, and Ruby Doris Smith Robinson, a civil rights activist who left Spelman to participate in sit-ins in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Finally, the text discusses Attorney Marian Wright Edelman, a veteran civil rights lawyer and the founder and director of the Children's Defense Fund, who also participated in sit-ins in downtown Atlanta and helped organize the conference that led to the founding of SNCC. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Crusaders, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson" circa 1990
Date Created
1988/19992
Description
The text contains brief biographical information on several individuals, including Miss Delaney, a Spelmanite who established a mission in Nyasaland and Liberia, and Ruby Doris Smith Robinson, a civil rights activist who left Spelman to participate in sit-ins in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Finally, the text discusses Attorney Marian Wright Edelman, a veteran civil rights lawyer and the founder and director of the Children's Defense Fund, who also participated in sit-ins in downtown Atlanta and helped organize the conference that led to the founding of SNCC. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, African American universities and colleges, College student newspapers and periodicals, College publications
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Tribute presentation notes about Ruby Doris Smith by sister Catherine Robinson, addressed to Spelman College Departments of Education and Sociology, and her organization Save Our Children Global Network. 3 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Tribute to Ruby Doris Smith by Catherine Smith Robinson, circa 1989
Date Created
1988/1990
Description
Tribute presentation notes about Ruby Doris Smith by sister Catherine Robinson, addressed to Spelman College Departments of Education and Sociology, and her organization Save Our Children Global Network. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, African American student movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Emerge magazine's article on Ruby D. Smith Robinson, Freedom Summer, and sexual politics in Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The biography article talks about Smith's involvement with the civil rights movement and how Ruby Doris transformed from a middle-class college student to a dedicated activist and administrator. Meanwhile, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) debated whether to participate in Freedom Summer, a joint effort with other civil rights groups to register Black voters in Mississippi, despite concerns about the impact on SNCC's character and image. 3 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Liberated Woman", August 1988
Date Created
1988-08
Description
Emerge magazine's article on Ruby D. Smith Robinson, Freedom Summer, and sexual politics in Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The biography article talks about Smith's involvement with the civil rights movement and how Ruby Doris transformed from a middle-class college student to a dedicated activist and administrator. Meanwhile, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) debated whether to participate in Freedom Summer, a joint effort with other civil rights groups to register Black voters in Mississippi, despite concerns about the impact on SNCC's character and image. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Tributes in Sage's student supplement issue by co-editors Deborah Parms and Jennifer Freeman. A personal tribute by Susan D. Mitchell, and the article "A 'Heartbeat' for Liberation: The Reclamation of Ruby Doris Smith" by Jacqueline Jones Royster. 5 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Tributes to Ruby Doris Smith in SAGE, 1988
Date Created
1988
Description
Tributes in Sage's student supplement issue by co-editors Deborah Parms and Jennifer Freeman. A personal tribute by Susan D. Mitchell, and the article "A 'Heartbeat' for Liberation: The Reclamation of Ruby Doris Smith" by Jacqueline Jones Royster. 5 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
Readers Digest "Personal Glimpses" article where Charlayne Hunter-Gault recalls Ruby Doris Smith's student activism, and her quote "Don't forget why you're here." 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Personal Glimpses", September 1987
Date Created
1987-09
Description
Readers Digest "Personal Glimpses" article where Charlayne Hunter-Gault recalls Ruby Doris Smith's student activism, and her quote "Don't forget why you're here." 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
This is a biography of Ruby D. Smith Robinson from a Spelman publication. Ruby Doris Smith Robinson is recognized as an unsung heroine of Spelman College and the civil rights movement. At seventeen, she left college to actively participate in sit-ins and other demonstrations actively, becoming an integral part of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Robinson played a crucial role in the movement's early success and later contributed to the fight against sexism within the movement by organizing a group of women to address gender discrimination. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Ruby D. Smith Robinson Biography, circa 1985
Date Created
1983/1987
Description
This is a biography of Ruby D. Smith Robinson from a Spelman publication. Ruby Doris Smith Robinson is recognized as an unsung heroine of Spelman College and the civil rights movement. At seventeen, she left college to actively participate in sit-ins and other demonstrations actively, becoming an integral part of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Robinson played a crucial role in the movement's early success and later contributed to the fight against sexism within the movement by organizing a group of women to address gender discrimination. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, African American universities and colleges
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Black Women Achievements Against The Odds", a calendar for 1984-86. Ruby Doris Smith is highlighted in March 1985 as a leading Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee member. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Black Women Achievements Against The Odds" Calendar, circa 1983
Date Created
1982/1985
Description
"Black Women Achievements Against The Odds", a calendar for 1984-86. Ruby Doris Smith is highlighted in March 1985 as a leading Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee member. 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
"For Ruby Doris, Hopefully" excerpts from the keynote speech of Charlayne Hunter-Gault at the Centennial Dinner, April 9, 1981 in the Spelman Messenger 1981 Celebration Issue. Hunter-Gault discusses Ruby Doris's story, and impact on her personal life. 3 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"For Ruby Doris, Hopefully", April 9, 1981
Date Created
1981-04-09
Description
"For Ruby Doris, Hopefully" excerpts from the keynote speech of Charlayne Hunter-Gault at the Centennial Dinner, April 9, 1981 in the Spelman Messenger 1981 Celebration Issue. Hunter-Gault discusses Ruby Doris's story, and impact on her personal life. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American women, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, African American student movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism