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 = Groups and organizations
  • Decade = 1960-1969
  • Series = Mary Ann Smith Wilson
American Friends Service Committee Fall Bulletin from the Southeastern Regional Office. Bulletin discusses current race relations and progress in school desegregation. 3 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This is a flyer about Florida A&M student William H. Larkins visiting CORE in Chicago, Illinois. Larkin was a student activist recently released from Jail due to his sit-in demonstrations. While in Chicago, CORE provided a schedule and list of locations where Larkin was to speak at. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This letter is from Fay. D Bellamy explains the existence of a staff coordinating committee and central committee within SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee). The notice emphasizes clarity and adherence to procedures to avoid confusion. It expresses the importance of focusing on program-related discussions and moving SNCC forward rather than engaging in irrelevant matters. The sender requests everyone's cooperation and assistance for a successful meeting and encourages questions to be addressed through written correspondence. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document is a memo from Stokely Carmichael requesting all project directors and office directors to submit itemized budgets for the fiscal year 1967-1968, including funds from sources other than Atlanta. Additionally, project directors are instructed to submit names of staff members and individuals who should be allowed to attend the staff meeting, with the first few days restricted to staff members only and the last two days open to all other workers. The memo is signed by Stokely Carmichael. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This update from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) provides information about seven SNCC workers the federal government indicted. The indictments stem from a demonstration on August 17, 1966, where young Black protesters picketed the 12th Army headquarters in Atlanta to protest the Vietnam War and the high percentage of Black men being drafted. The protesters faced harassment and arrests during the demonstration; some were charged with assaulting officers. While serving their three-month sentences, they experienced mistreatment and segregation in prison. After filing lawsuits against the city of Atlanta, the prisoners were released, but one member, Johnny Wilson, was sentenced to three years on a Georgia chain gang. The seven indicted workers now face charges of injuring government property and interfering with the Universal Military Training and Service Act. The update appeals for bail money and funds for legal costs to support these young people. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
A paper written by James Forman, an Organizational Secretary. Forman divides the paper into four sections: "Toward a Definition of power for Us, the Powerless", "The Political Organizer is a Leader", "Three Qualities of a good organizer", and "Seven Steps a political organizer must take if he is to be effective". Forman illustrates the fundamental qualities of what he believes to be a leader and organizer of a political movement. He mentions that a good organizer is a well-rounded individual that demonstrates effectiveness and awareness of situations. Forman uses this paper for an SNCC workshop. 13 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document accounts for the legal case MacLaurin vs. The State of Mississippi, involving Charles MacLaurin, a field secretary for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). MacLaurin was arrested and charged with "Disturbing the Peace" and "Resisting Arrest" in Greenville, Mississippi, after speaking to a group of Black individuals about the unjust conviction of Black defendants for playing in a segregated public park. MacLaurin's trial resulted in guilty verdicts and subsequent convictions, leading to a sentence of 180 days in prison and a $100 fine. Appeals were made, but they were denied. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied, with three justices refusing to review the case. The document argues that the legal proceedings were biased and part of a conspiracy to deny justice and violate the civil and human rights of Black individuals who fight for equality. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This is a report from SNCC's journey to Guinea, West Africa, on September 23rd, 1964. The group was met by the Director General of the Ministry of Information and Tourism, Diallo Alpha. While in West Africa, the group discussed the implications and the effects of colonialism on Guinea and  African nations. Diallo Alpha illustrates the functions of the National Government of Guinea with other African governments and how they have been influenced and affected by foreign agencies and policies. Further in the document, SNCC and other African leaders share pan-Africanist ideals with each other and remark on racial anecdotes about colonialism and American racism. 12 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document is the minutes from an SNCC meeting held on September 6th, 1964. The meeting minutes are a transcript of those members in attendance. The agenda items for the meeting were Billy Stafford's report on Southern campuses and work-study programs, a discussion of regional coordinators, fundraising projects, Summer projects, filled and needed positions, the Black Belt Project, and the budget for the various programs. 12 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document is of project reports meeting minutes from September 5th, 1964. The records show the transcription of a meeting about King's campaign, voting campaign projects, and several other programs. 8 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
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 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
Atlanta Inquirer article about four Atlanta student leaders who filed a desegregation suit against the City of Atlanta to gain equal access to Atlanta's parks, tennis courts, and City Auditorium. Four student leaders from Atlanta filed a desegregation lawsuit in U.S. District Court on May 17, seeking to abolish racial segregation in all public facilities owned, operated, maintained, or subsidized by the City of Atlanta, Georgia. The students cited refusals of equal use of Atlanta�s parks, tennis courts, and the Municipal Auditorium as the basis for their lawsuit. They filed the suit without an attorney and paid fees for warrants to be served on the defendants. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This a newspaper clipping from The Atlanta Journal dated Wednesday, May 17th, 1961. The headline of this newspaper issue is "Negro Leaders Sue In US. Court For Complete Integration." The document is cut out of an article written by Margaret Shannon. In the article, Shannon writes about Members of the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights have filed a lawsuit in federal court in Atlanta, seeking desegregation of all city facilities, including parks, swimming pools, tennis courts, and the Municipal Auditorium. While the committee chairman stated that the lawsuit does not necessarily mean an end to other forms of protest, they hope to achieve immediate injunctions against ongoing discrimination through legal means. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR civil action case against the City of Atlanta. This is a summary of a legal case in which the plaintiffs seek to abolish racial segregation and discrimination in every public facility operated by the City of Atlanta, including parks, swimming pools, tennis courts, and municipal buildings. The plaintiffs represent an estimated 230,000 citizens of Atlanta who are members of the Negro race. The defendants include the City of Atlanta, the Director of Recreation for the City, the General Manager of the Department of Parks, and a judge of the Municipal Court. The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to prohibit racial discrimination and segregation under color of law. 8 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
The front page of The Atlanta Inquirer is dated May 13th, 1961. The headline of the newspaper issue is "Georgia Tech Accepts 3 Negroes". 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Speaking on behalf of CORE, James Farmer urges immediate action to end segregation in bus, train, and airline terminals, emphasizing the need for sacrifices, deliberate decision-making, and a spirit of reconciliation. CORE plans additional Freedom Rides and requests applications from individuals willing to engage in nonviolent direct action. Accompanied with the letter are two blue-colored applications for CORE and Freedom Rides. 6 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
The front page of The Atlanta Inquirer is dated April 22nd, 1961. The newspaper issue features seven front-page articles:: "Attorney General Tells Inquirer: SIT-INS NOT BAR TO FEDERAL JOBS," "Pool Creek Pigeonholed Again," "Transit Co. Preps Negro Drivers," "Negro Lawyers To Hear Sec. of State Rusk At Biltmore," "Symposium At Clark College Honors Faculty Author," "Lockheed Council Reports Job Forms Pouring In," and "Poole Creek Civic League Prest Ousted." 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Jailed In," written by Thomas Gaither, discusses his experience of being jailed for 30 days with eight other students because of their sit-in protest in Rock-Hill, South Carolina. Gaither talks about the events leading to the protest in Rock Hill, South Carolina, preceded by a protest in Greensboro, North Carolina, in February 1960. Afterward, he describes the experience of being arrested and tried in South Carolina. 8 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
In this letter, James R. Robinson seeks support to sustain and advance the organization's program of action, emphasizing the progress made over the past twenty years, the ongoing struggles for integration, and the need for financial contributions. The letter appeals for support and urges them to make a generous contribution to help achieve a genuine Brotherhood in America. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism