Ruby Doris Smith-Robinson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ruby Doris Smith April 25, 1942 |
| Died | October 7, 1967 (aged 25) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Organization | Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee |
| Movement | Civil Rights Movement |
| Spouse |
Clifford Robinson (m. 1964) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Keisha Lance Bottoms (niece) |
Ruby Doris Smith-Robinson (April 25, 1942 – October 7, 1967)[1] worked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from its earliest days in 1960 until her death in October 1967.[2] She served the organization as an activist in the field and as an administrator in the Atlanta central office. She eventually succeeded James Forman as SNCC's executive secretary and was the only woman ever to serve in this capacity. She was well respected by her SNCC colleagues and others within the movement for her work ethic and dedication to those around her. SNCC Freedom Singer Matthew Jones recalled, "You could feel her power in SNCC on a daily basis".[3] Jack Minnis, director of SNCC's opposition research unit, insisted that people could not fool her. Over the course of her life, she served 100 days in prison for the movement.[1]
- ^ a b "Ruby Robinson, 26, a.S.N.C.C. Founder; Ex-Officer Who Spent 100 Days in Jails in South Dies". New York Times. October 10, 1967. p. 47. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
- ^ The Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History, p. 2356.
- ^ Matthew Jones, personal interview, April 24, 1989.