Voice for Freedom a

More impactful than a scream is a whisper. More effective than a gun is a song.

Rutha Mae Harris, leader of The Albany Civil Rights Institute Freedom Singers, shares the incredible story of her youth that helped change the course of history. An original Freedom Singer of the Civil Rights Movement, she moved hearts with the power of her voice and continues to inspire others to do the same.

Rutha had just completed her first year at Florida A&M University when the Civil Rights Movement began in Albany. “I came home for the summer of 1961,” Rutha remembers. “The

Freedom Singers group was organized here in Albany and I was asked to become one of the singers.”

Rutha was eager to contribute her musical talent to this incredible movement. “I promised my mom if she would let me go travel with the group that I would come back and finish my education.” With this promise, she set off to make her mark on history.

Alongside Cordell Reagon, Bernice Johnson Reagon and Charles Neblett, Rutha began the adventure of a lifetime. In nine months, they traveled over 50 thousand miles through 46 states singing and raising funds for the Student NonViolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). “We sang at high schools, colleges and universities. We did lawn singing – whatever we were asked to sing,” she says.

Rutha explains the origin of freedom songs and the impact they had on the Civil Rights Movement. “Freedom songs came from spirituals, rhythm and blues, and gospel. All you have to do is change the lyrics to fit whatever the occasion is.” For example, they would change the lyrics from, “I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus,” to, “I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Freedom.” These slight alterations allowed spectators to easily join in the singing of these well-known songs.

As an original Freedom Singer, Rutha met many influential individuals. Pete Seeger’s wife, Toshi, personally organized their first tour when Rutha was just 21 years old. The group had their first concert at YM/WCA in Illinois and later performed at the City Opera House in Chicago. In 1963, Rutha sang proudly at the March on Washington alongside Martin Luther King. “It was indescribable,” she says. “It was a wonderful experience to be able to sing praise with Martin Luther King and Mahalia Jackson.”

While making history was incredibly amazing, it was not always a walk in the park. Those involved in the Civil Rights Movement maintained non-violence while anticipating resistance from the other side. Rutha says they attended workshops that prepared them for the firehose and dog attacks. These workshops taught them how to protect themselves with brace positions, and the men were instructed to cover the women.

“A lot of things happened to people in the Civil Rights Movement,” Rutha shares. “People were killed, were beaten, but I was one of the blessed ones. I wasn’t beaten, I was dragged up the steps.” Limp as her training had taught her, Rutha was arrested and quite literally dragged to jail.

Despite this, Rutha says with absolute certainty, “I’m glad I had that experience.” Every act of hateful force they faced was further confirmation of the importance of their cause. Peacefully fighting against the injustice was an enriching experience that she’ll always treasure.

Throughout her time with the Freedom Singers, Rutha was arrested three times and spent a total of 14 days in jail. She was jailed in Dougherty County twice and Lee County once. “I had a wonderful time in jail,” she says jovially. “I hadn’t done anything wrong.

I had a purpose in being there and I didn’t feel any way sad.”

In jail, Rutha often sang for the chief of police and the others that had been arrested. “That’s what we did, sing and pray,” she says. They used every moment as an opportunity to inspire change by fighting the cause with resilience and grace –something they mastered quite well.

When her time with the Freedom Singers ended, Rutha honored her promise to her mother and returned to school. “In 1967, I enrolled in Albany State – it was college then, now university – and I completed my studies in 1970.” Naturally, Rutha studied music and became a teacher at her alma mater, Monroe High School.

The freedom songs that the Civil Rights Movement birthed never lost their effect. After 25 years of teaching, Rutha brought Freedom Songs back to life in Albany. “The reason I organized The Albany Civil Rights Institute Freedom Singers in 1998 is because I didn’t want the songs to die,” Rutha explains. To honor the movement, The Albany Civil Rights Institute Freedom Singers have been performing every second Saturday of the month.

“I also organized a group of young people that I call The Albany Civil Rights Institute Junior Freedom Singers, ages seven through high school,” Rutha says proudly. She enjoys helping children explore their musical gifts and cherishes every moment of influence she has with them.

In 2003, Rutha retired from her teaching job of 30 years. However, life did not slow down with retirement. Instead, she recorded her first CD, I Am on the Battlefield, the very next year. “I did it with the Freedom Singers that I organized here in

1998. I did three freedom songs and the rest were hymns.”

Since then, Rutha has enjoyed her continued involvement in The Albany Civil Rights Institute Freedom Singers and their regular performances. Her lifetime devotion to music speaks for itself. Countless students have flourished under Rutha’s mentorship growing ever passionate with her as their guide.

As our time together ends, Rutha unexpectedly belts out the first few lines of her favorite song, Wade in the Water. The power behind her lungs stops me still and brings me to chills. With these few notes, I suddenly understand the impact of a song. Her compelling voice bears her soul and creates an emotional energy that is entirely palpable.

I close my eyes and see her in front of thousands, silent as they stand in awe. There could not have been anything better than a voice so rich for a movement so important.  ALM

In 2003, Rutha retired from her teaching job of 30 years. However, life did not slow down with retirement. Instead, she recorded her first CD, I Am on the Battlefield, the very next year. “I did it with the Freedom Singers that I organized here in 1998. I did three freedom songs and the rest were hymns.”

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