Ruby Sales
Encyclopedia
Ruby Sales is an African-American social activist.
Growing up in Alabama during the tumultuous days of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, Sales participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches
of 1965. She was arrested for her actions, and released after six days. While purchasing refreshments at a store in Hayneville, Alabama
, her life was threatened by a shotgun-wielding construction worker, Tom Coleman. Sales' fellow marcher, white Episcopal seminarian Jonathan Myrick Daniels
, pushed her out of the way and took the shot meant for her, dying instantly. Sales was so traumatized by Daniels' shooting that she was unable to properly speak for the next seven months. Despite death threats made to her and her family, she resolved to testify at Tom Coleman's trial. He was acquitted by a jury of 12 white men, but the outcome of the trial led to reform of the segregated procedures that were used to pick juries in Alabama.
Sales went on to attend Episcopal Theological School in Massachusetts where Daniels attended (now Episcopal Divinity School
), and has worked as a human rights advocate in Washington, D.C. as well as founding an inner-city mission dedicated to Daniels.
Growing up in Alabama during the tumultuous days of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, Sales participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches
Selma to Montgomery marches
The Selma to Montgomery marches were three marches in 1965 that marked the political and emotional peak of the American civil rights movement. They grew out of the voting rights movement in Selma, Alabama, launched by local African-Americans who formed the Dallas County Voters League...
of 1965. She was arrested for her actions, and released after six days. While purchasing refreshments at a store in Hayneville, Alabama
Hayneville, Alabama
Hayneville is a town in Lowndes County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,177. The city is the county seat of Lowndes County. It is also part of the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, her life was threatened by a shotgun-wielding construction worker, Tom Coleman. Sales' fellow marcher, white Episcopal seminarian Jonathan Myrick Daniels
Jonathan Myrick Daniels
Jonathan Myrick Daniels was an Episcopal seminarian, killed for his work in the American civil rights movement. His death helped galvanize support for the civil rights movement within the Episcopal church. He is regarded as a martyr in the Episcopal church...
, pushed her out of the way and took the shot meant for her, dying instantly. Sales was so traumatized by Daniels' shooting that she was unable to properly speak for the next seven months. Despite death threats made to her and her family, she resolved to testify at Tom Coleman's trial. He was acquitted by a jury of 12 white men, but the outcome of the trial led to reform of the segregated procedures that were used to pick juries in Alabama.
Sales went on to attend Episcopal Theological School in Massachusetts where Daniels attended (now Episcopal Divinity School
Episcopal Divinity School
The Episcopal Divinity School is a seminary of the Episcopal Church based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Known throughout the Anglican Communion for prophetic teaching and action on issues of civil rights and social justice, its faculty and students have been directly involved in many of the social...
), and has worked as a human rights advocate in Washington, D.C. as well as founding an inner-city mission dedicated to Daniels.
External links
- The SpiritHouse Project, a non-profit organization founded and directed by Ruby Sales.