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Rutha Harris

Rutha Mae Harris (November 27 1940-) is an American civil rights activist and one of the original members of the Freedom Singers for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in Albany, Georgia during the 1960's

Harris grew up in Albany, Georgia with seven siblings. Her father was a baptist minister and her mother, a teacher. Harris lived a sheltered childhood, not aware of segregation.. She was not allowed to go to the theaters, local restaurants , or any other public place. Still unaware, she attended the all-black Monroe High School and graduated to go on to Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Florida. Harris had already returned to Albany for the summer when she was asked in the streets one day if she wanted to be free. She replied 'Why are you asking me if I want to be free? I am free?' . It was then that she learned about the Albany Movement and decided to become a part of it. She did not attend her sophomore year at Florida A&M and instead accepted an invitation by the SNCC to join the movement. After her father's death, Harris' family became involved. Their house was set up as temporary voting registration place for black voters. Harris also particpated in picket lines and demonstrations, which resulted in her arrest on three different occasions. Harris' role changed when the SNCC asked her to join the Freedom Singers in December of 1962. Harris agreed and set out with the group to travel across the country in order to raise awareness of the various civil rights campaigns forming through out the South. Within nine months, Harris traveled 50, 000 miles to 48 states and sang the stories of the movement in schools, universities, political rallies, and jails.The Freedom Singers performed with well-known folk artists at the time and was recognized by the New York Times as a significant performinggroup. In 1967, Rutha Harris left the Freedom Singers in order to continue her education at Albany State University. She graduated with a degree in education and went on to teach in the Albany public school system teacher . She later created a singing group based of the Freedom Singers and performed once a month for the Albany Civil Rights Movement Museum Though retired from her occupation as a special educations teacher, Harris still participates within the Albany community. She volunteers part-time in voting registration and still travels through the country to perform at concerts. Harris has mentioned fining joy and significance in her experience in spreading, and currently retelling, of the movement and believes that there is much more that needs to be done in order to bring others together and overcome today's challenges .

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