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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  • Subjects = Groups and organizations
  • Subjects = Protest movements
  • Decade = 1960-1969
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
"Florida A and M Student Leader William H. Larkins Visits Chicago", 1969
Date Created
1969
Creator
Congress of Racial Equality
Description
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.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
People form a line and hold hands with protest signs for William Lewis Moore, a CORE member who was shot in Keener, Alabama, during a protest march.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Demonstration for William Lewis Moore, circa 1963
Date Created
1961/1965
Description
People form a line and hold hands with protest signs for William Lewis Moore, a CORE member who was shot in Keener, Alabama, during a protest march.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
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
Freedom Ride Correspondence and Applications, May 1961
Date Created
1961-05
Creator
Congress of Racial Equality
Description
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.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
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
"Jailed In" by Thomas Gaither, April 1961
Date Created
1961-04
Creator
Congress of Racial Equality
Description
"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.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
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
CORE, Behind Bars for Freedom Letter, April 1961
Date Created
1961-04
Creator
Congress of Racial Equality
Description
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.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
This document is a preliminary draft announcement from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) regarding the Freedom Ride, 1961. The Freedom Ride is a planned initiative to achieve complete integration of bus service and accommodations in the Deep South. It will involve an interracial group of highly trained and dedicated CORE members who will challenge Jim Crow segregation wherever encountered during their journey from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans. The document provides information on the purpose, itinerary, participant requirements, and contact details for those interested in joining the project. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Freedom Ride, 1961 Preliminary Draft", March 13, 1961
Date Created
1961-03-13
Creator
Congress of Racial Equality
Description
This document is a preliminary draft announcement from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) regarding the Freedom Ride, 1961. The Freedom Ride is a planned initiative to achieve complete integration of bus service and accommodations in the Deep South. It will involve an interracial group of highly trained and dedicated CORE members who will challenge Jim Crow segregation wherever encountered during their journey from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans. The document provides information on the purpose, itinerary, participant requirements, and contact details for those interested in joining the project. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
The Ann Arbor Direct Action Committee and Detroit CORE are organizing national demonstrations to pressure the Kresge Company to integrate their Southern lunch counters to achieve 100% integration and write to the President of Kresge in support of complete integration, emphasizing the need for change in the Deep South and the potential influence on other chains. The item includes a list of cities with lunch counters that opened around February 1st, 1960. The Crisis in Western Tennessee is summarized, highlighting the importance of long-term solutions through Operation Freedom and the need for relief contributions to support local organizations addressing the crisis. 4 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
CORE, Call To Action, National Kresge Demonstrations, March 9, 1961
Date Created
1961-03-09
Creator
Congress of Racial Equality
Description
The Ann Arbor Direct Action Committee and Detroit CORE are organizing national demonstrations to pressure the Kresge Company to integrate their Southern lunch counters to achieve 100% integration and write to the President of Kresge in support of complete integration, emphasizing the need for change in the Deep South and the potential influence on other chains. The item includes a list of cities with lunch counters that opened around February 1st, 1960. The Crisis in Western Tennessee is summarized, highlighting the importance of long-term solutions through Operation Freedom and the need for relief contributions to support local organizations addressing the crisis. 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Students Prefer Jail-Ins to Bail-Outs" newspaper article in the Southern Patriot about the southern student movement, highlighting the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee as leaders in the movement. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
"Students Prefer Jail Ins to Bail Outs", March 1961
Date Created
1961-03
Description
"Students Prefer Jail-Ins to Bail-Outs" newspaper article in the Southern Patriot about the southern student movement, highlighting the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee as leaders in the movement. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
A man and a woman sit at an otherwise empty lunch counter.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Couple Sitting at Lunch Counter, circa 1961
Date Created
1960/1962
Description
A man and a woman sit at an otherwise empty lunch counter.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American pioneers, African American student movements, Race discrimination, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
A draft copy of "An Appeal for Human Rights". 4 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR Appeal for Human Rights Draft, circa 1960
Date Created
1959/1961
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
A draft copy of "An Appeal for Human Rights". 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements, African American students
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
A group of white Southern ministers from the Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches has issued a statement expressing their conviction that racial discrimination in America is morally wrong and must be addressed by the church. They denounce the use of the Bible to justify white supremacy and call on all Christians to act with humility and conviction to promote full human brotherhood. They believe that it is their responsibility as Christian ministers to make clear statements of their position on concrete social issues and to exercise vigorous civic leadership to promote interracial contacts and protect the rights of minority groups. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR Demonstration, A Call to Christian Action, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1962
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
A group of white Southern ministers from the Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches has issued a statement expressing their conviction that racial discrimination in America is morally wrong and must be addressed by the church. They denounce the use of the Bible to justify white supremacy and call on all Christians to act with humility and conviction to promote full human brotherhood. They believe that it is their responsibility as Christian ministers to make clear statements of their position on concrete social issues and to exercise vigorous civic leadership to promote interracial contacts and protect the rights of minority groups. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Notes from the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights meeting discussing future meeting dates and information pertaining to the Sit-Ins. 4 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR Meeting Notes, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1962
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
Notes from the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights meeting discussing future meeting dates and information pertaining to the Sit-Ins. 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Notes from the Action Committee Report referring to the integration of the lunch counters. The note drafts the conditions and plan of action for the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights and how it regards the protesting movements. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR Meeting Action Committee Reports, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1962
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
Notes from the Action Committee Report referring to the integration of the lunch counters. The note drafts the conditions and plan of action for the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights and how it regards the protesting movements. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Notes referring to student activism and the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights. The action report, summarized by the note, is referring to trying to get the administration to agree to have students have 3-5 days off and the students wearing a Kennedy button and be placed throughout the town to direct other students and tell them where to go for protesting. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR Meeting adopted Action report, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1962
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
Notes referring to student activism and the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights. The action report, summarized by the note, is referring to trying to get the administration to agree to have students have 3-5 days off and the students wearing a Kennedy button and be placed throughout the town to direct other students and tell them where to go for protesting. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
A meeting agenda discussing demonstrations, marches, and the possibility of a new emphasis in the movement with Stand-Ins. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR Meeting Agenda, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1962
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
A meeting agenda discussing demonstrations, marches, and the possibility of a new emphasis in the movement with Stand-Ins. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
A meeting agenda with featured figures James Felder and Otis Moss. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR Meeting Agenda With Negotiations, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1962
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
A meeting agenda with featured figures James Felder and Otis Moss. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Notes from the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights meeting. Notes discuss donation amounts and pricing for various items. 7 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR Meeting Notes, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1962
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
Notes from the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights meeting. Notes discuss donation amounts and pricing for various items. 7 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Notes from a meeting concerning public relations. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR Meeting Notes, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1962
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
Notes from a meeting concerning public relations. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
A judge in Municipal Court in Atlanta, James Webb, stayed late to hear the cases of 59 African-American students arrested during a sit-in demonstration. He sent 56 of them to Fulton Criminal Court on $300 bonds, while three others who had already made bonds were also bound over. All 59 students made property bonds, but one juvenile stayed in jail. Two white youths were also ordered to spend 30 days in the city stockade for failing to move at a police officer's order after one of them kicked a Negro radio station reporter. 1 page.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR News Articles, Managers Testify in Sit In Hearings, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1962
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
A judge in Municipal Court in Atlanta, James Webb, stayed late to hear the cases of 59 African-American students arrested during a sit-in demonstration. He sent 56 of them to Fulton Criminal Court on $300 bonds, while three others who had already made bonds were also bound over. All 59 students made property bonds, but one juvenile stayed in jail. Two white youths were also ordered to spend 30 days in the city stockade for failing to move at a police officer's order after one of them kicked a Negro radio station reporter. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
Notes referring to a meeting held by the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights. 2 pages.
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism
COAHR Meeting Notes, circa 1960
Date Created
1958/1962
Creator
Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights
Description
Notes referring to a meeting held by the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Groups and organizations, Protest movements
Collection
Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism