Ruth Revels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruth Revels
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Annie Ruth Locklear
1936 |
| Died | March 14, 2016 |
| Nationality | Native American |
| Occupation | Teacher |
Ruth Revels (born 1936, died March 14, 2016) was an important Native American leader and teacher. She worked hard to help her community and founded a special group called the Guilford Native American Association (GNAA). This group helps Native American people and shares their culture. Ruth Revels also went to college and always stood up for what was right.
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Growing Up Lumbee
Ruth Revels was born in 1936 and grew up in Robeson County, North Carolina, during the 1940s. She was a member of the Lumbee tribe. Life was different then, and people were often separated based on their race. Ruth experienced this separation, which was sometimes called "segregation."
Her family lived on a farm near Pembroke and did not have a lot of money. Her parents worked hard, but neither of them had finished high school. Ruth later married Lonnie Revels. Together, they bravely stood up for their community against unfair treatment in 1958.
Education and Achievements
Ruth Revels went to Pembroke State College, which is now called the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She studied English and graduated in 1958. While she was in college, she was even crowned 'Miss Pembroke State' in 1956!
A Champion for Native Americans
After college, Ruth Revels became a teacher at Ragsdale High in Jamestown. She taught there for 14 years, leaving the classroom in 1977. But her work for the community was just beginning.
Starting the GNAA
Ruth helped create and lead the Guilford Native American Association (GNAA). This group's main goal was to help and teach the Native American community. Through the GNAA, Ruth spoke out about important issues.
Fighting for Respect
In the early 2000s, Ruth Revels spoke against using Native American people as mascots for high school sports teams. She believed it was disrespectful and did not honor Native American culture.
Leading the Way
Ruth Revels also served on the North Carolina Commissions of Indian Affairs starting in 2003. This group works to support Native American people in North Carolina. In 2013, she became the chairwoman of the Commissions. She held this important leadership role until she passed away in 2016.
