Ruth Harvey Charity facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruth Harvey Charity
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| Born | April 18, 1924 |
| Died | April 26, 1996 (aged 72) |
| Other names | Ruth LaCountess Harvey Wood Charity |
| Occupation | Civil rights attorney |
Ruth LaCountess Harvey Wood Charity was an amazing African American civil rights leader and lawyer. She worked hard to fight for equal rights for everyone. In 1970, she made history by becoming the first African American woman on the Danville city council. She also helped lead the Democratic Party in Virginia.
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Early Life and Education
Ruth Harvey Charity was born in Danville, Virginia, on April 18, 1924. Her father, Charles Clifton Harvey, was a Baptist minister. Her mother, Annie Elizabeth Lovelace Harvey, was a teacher.
Ruth started school in Danville, where schools were separated by race. Later, she moved to North Carolina. She went to Palmer Memorial Institute, a special high school. This school helped African-American women become leaders. In 1947, she earned her college degree and a law degree from Howard University.
Ruth Harvey Charity's Work for Civil Rights
Ruth Harvey became a lawyer in Virginia in 1951. She had already been working for the government for a year.
While at Howard University in 1944, Ruth was president of the NAACP student group. That year, she led protests called "sit-ins" at restaurants in Washington D.C. These restaurants would not serve African Americans. In 1960, she led more protests in Danville's public libraries and parks.
The Danville Movement
In 1963, the Danville Movement faced many challenges. A judge tried to stop public protests. This led to violence against peaceful protestors by the Danville Police. The city then passed more rules against protests.
A grand jury charged protest leaders with crimes. These charges were based on old laws that made it a crime to encourage Black people to protest. More than 600 people were arrested. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Danville on July 11, 1963. He came to support the people protesting for their rights.
Ruth Harvey Charity worked with other lawyers to defend the protestors. These lawyers included Arthur Kinoy, Len Holt, and William Kunstler. In 1966, the trials continued. The judge was criticized for how he ran the courtroom.
After the judge passed away, the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals overturned over 200 convictions in 1973. This big victory was mostly thanks to Ruth Harvey Charity's hard work.
Entering Politics
In 1967, Ruth Harvey ran for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. She did not win that election. She also ran for the House of Representatives as an independent candidate but was not successful.
In 1969, civil rights leaders suggested she be appointed to the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Then, in 1970, Ruth Harvey won enough votes to join the Danville city council. She was fourth out of sixteen candidates. She became the first African American woman elected to the city council in Danville. She served two terms, from 1972 to 1980. She was also a member of the Democratic National Committee in Virginia.
Personal Life
Ruth Charity married Ronald Karl Charity. He helped manage her political campaign in July 1967.
Ruth Harvey Charity passed away on April 26, 1996, in Washington D.C.. She was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Danville.
