Ruth Bolden
Encyclopedia
Ruth Bolden was a library
founder and civil rights
worker. She was educated at Stillman College
and received her master’s degree in library science
from Atlanta University. She helped found what would become the Weaver-Bolden Branch Library (part of the Tuscaloosa Public Library
system) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
, which is now named in honor of her and of Dr. George Weaver.
Bolden was born in Bibb County, Alabama
, and worked to put herself through school at Stillman College. She later earned her master’s degree in library sciences from Atlanta University.
In 1948 she started a library in the local community center in West Tuscaloosa, and in 1961 she secured funding to build a new library. She was the first librarian of the library, and in 1960 requested that the Library be named for Dr. Weaver, a prominent black citizen who allowed local young people to use his private library. In 1991, this branch of the Tuscaloosa Public Library was renamed the Weaver-Bolden branch in her honor.
Bolden was a follower of T.Y. Rogers, who was a leader in the local American Civil Rights Movement. She was a member of the Tuscaloosa Citizens Action Committee and helped register blacks to vote.
Bolden was among those who were in First African Baptist Church planning a civil rights march when it was tear gassed by local authorities on June 9, 1964, a day known by many as "Black Tuesday."
Bolden held several distinguished memberships and honors, including membership in the First African Baptist Church, the League of Women Voters
, Bryce Human Rights Committee (appointed by the Federal Court), the Tuscaloosa County Jury Commission and was president of the Stillan College National Alumni Association. Bolden was also named Alabama Black Woman of the Year.
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
founder and civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
worker. She was educated at Stillman College
Stillman College
-Marching Band:The school's marching band is named the Blue Pride Marching Band.In February 2010, Stillman College dedicated the brand new facility, the Thomas Lyle Band Center, named in honor of former band director Thomas Lyle, in conjunction with the Wynn Fine Arts Center.Organizations include:...
and received her master’s degree in library science
Library science
Library science is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the...
from Atlanta University. She helped found what would become the Weaver-Bolden Branch Library (part of the Tuscaloosa Public Library
Tuscaloosa Public Library
The Tuscaloosa Public Library is a city/county agency located in the city of Tuscaloosa, serving a population of over 184,035 in Tuscaloosa County in the state of Alabama, USA. The Library has 58,037 registered patrons that use the library on a regular basis. There are currently over 225,000 items...
system) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama . Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with a population of 90,468 in 2010...
, which is now named in honor of her and of Dr. George Weaver.
Bolden was born in Bibb County, Alabama
Bibb County, Alabama
Bibb County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of William W. Bibb, the first Governor of Alabama. As of 2010 the population was 22,915. The county seat is Centreville...
, and worked to put herself through school at Stillman College. She later earned her master’s degree in library sciences from Atlanta University.
In 1948 she started a library in the local community center in West Tuscaloosa, and in 1961 she secured funding to build a new library. She was the first librarian of the library, and in 1960 requested that the Library be named for Dr. Weaver, a prominent black citizen who allowed local young people to use his private library. In 1991, this branch of the Tuscaloosa Public Library was renamed the Weaver-Bolden branch in her honor.
Bolden was a follower of T.Y. Rogers, who was a leader in the local American Civil Rights Movement. She was a member of the Tuscaloosa Citizens Action Committee and helped register blacks to vote.
Bolden was among those who were in First African Baptist Church planning a civil rights march when it was tear gassed by local authorities on June 9, 1964, a day known by many as "Black Tuesday."
Bolden held several distinguished memberships and honors, including membership in the First African Baptist Church, the League of Women Voters
League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is an American political organization founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt during the last meeting of the National American Woman Suffrage Association approximately six months before the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution gave women the right to vote...
, Bryce Human Rights Committee (appointed by the Federal Court), the Tuscaloosa County Jury Commission and was president of the Stillan College National Alumni Association. Bolden was also named Alabama Black Woman of the Year.
External links
- Ruth Bolden at the Reconstruction Period Research Forum