Overview: A Civil Rights pioneer
Contributing writer and Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute intern Lucy Kitcher spotlights the life of Ruby Hurley, a relentless organizer, legal scholar, and NAACP director who faced down death threats to protect Black lives across the South. Kitcher previews how a forthcoming children's book from PPGJLI aims to pass Hurley’s torch of resilience to tomorrow’s young leaders.
Credit: NAACP Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress
In 1939, Ruby Hurley’s voice gave hope, equality and justice to someone who nearly lost her voice and smile because of her race. This person was Marian Anderson, a world-renowned opera singer who was scheduled to sing at the nation’s capital and was denied the opportunity because of the color of her skin. Ruby swung into action, protested and helped move the performance to the Lincoln Memorial. Over 75,000 people gathered to enjoy the concert, and another million listened on the radio.
Over the next three decades, Ruby made history as part of an organization that fought for justice for all through her sacrifice and resilience: the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). African Americans suffered inhumane treatment and racial terrorism at the time, and Ruby embraced the challenge of studying law while continuing her work in the civil rights movement.
Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI) is honored to make Ruby’s story known to everyone. “Ruby Hurley: Queen of Civil Rights,” part of the Difference Makers series, emphasizes her sacrifice, resilience and impact. This article explores Ruby’s leadership journey.
Rooted in education and public service
Ruby was born in 1909 in Washington, D.C., to parents who were activists and public school teachers. Seeing her parents enrich the lives of children, she was determined to make a positive impact on her own community and took her studies seriously at Dunbar High School in Washington. She went on to Miner Teachers College to gain the knowledge and skills she needed to engage in societal reform, inspired by the example her parents had already set.
She later enrolled in an evening law course at the Robert H. Terrell Law School, having seen a world where some people were given special treatment while others suffered rejection and discrimination. She knew her legal training would help her fight racial discrimination, since the law is a language of power.
Mobilizing youth and investigating injustice
Ruby became a secretary for the NAACP. As youth secretary, she participated in international youth conferences and became a leader in the National Students’ Association. She did not let her gender or race limit her; under her direction, what began as a few youth councils and college chapters grew to more than 25,000 NAACP members. Ruby rose to prominence at a time when discrimination against the Black community in America was at its peak. Ruby focused her work on civil rights advocacy; investigating racial incidents and murder cases; and demanding justice for those without a voice.
She became regional director and drove the initiative to ensure Black Americans regained their legal and fundamental human rights. With the help of NAACP members, including Medgar Evers, field secretary of the organization’s Mississippi office, she compiled reports on these cases and gave them to the FBI and the NAACP. She later joined a tour to bring nationwide attention to some of these tragedies.
Sacrifice, resilience, and a lasting legacy
Ruby faced constant danger and open hostility throughout her career. She was often threatened because her civil rights activism did not sit well with some local authorities and members of her community, and she received obscene phone calls and death threats at her home.
Ruby traveled more than 40,000 miles by bus and car, often alone, while working for the NAACP in the South. Her refusal to eat in segregated restaurants during her travels brought its own hardship, and the toll of her work had negative effects on her mental and physical health.
Ruby was discouraged many times but pressed on. After 39 years of service and dedication to the NAACP, she retired from the organization on March 31, 1978.
The “Queen of Civil Rights” died at age 70 on Aug. 9, 1980, in Atlanta. She left behind a legacy of civil rights advocacy. Her accomplishments were recognized by the U.S. Postal Service in 2009 with a commemorative stamp in the Civil Rights Pioneers series. Her contributions to the civil rights movement helped advance economic, political and social opportunities for African Americans and many others.
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County NAACP hosts an annual Ruby Hurley Image Award in her honor. She left a legacy for generations unborn.
The forthcoming book, “Ruby Hurley: Queen of Civil Rights,” will serve as a tool for inspiring the next generation of leaders. At PPGJ, we encourage children to learn, grow and lead.
Lucy Kitcher is an intern at Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI).