Ruth Brown

Who was Ruth Brown?

Ruth Brown was an American librarian, best known for her dismissal from service for civil rights activities in the late 1940s. On July 25, 1950, she was dismissed after 30 years of service as the Bartlesville, Oklahoma public librarian. She was accused of providing "subversive" materials to the public and indoctrinating children against the principles of America. However, it was widely regarded at the time that her dismissal was in response to her activities promoting the equality of African-Americans during a time when the leading citizens of the city were not ready to face equality for all.