“The Mother of Springfield Civil Rights”

By Marjorie J. Hurst

Ruth B. Loving is affectionately called by many who know her, “The Mother of Springfield Civil Rights,” and so we thought it would be appropriate to chronicle her life for this special issue of the newspaper. She and her husband, the late Minor Loving, relocated to Springfield in 1940, and she has been active in the life of Springfield for the past 63 years and is still going strong.

One of the very first things the couple did upon relocating to Springfield was to become part of the founding members of Gardner Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and, in 1950, Ruth became the first organist of the church. She was also a vocalist for the USO circuit at Westover Air Force Base and other bases, along with her two gifted children. They were known as the “Loving Trio.” An extremely talented individual, Ruth, not only sang and played the piano and organ, but also briefly danced at the Cotton Club of Harlem until her mother, who objected to the “brief” costumes, ordered her home.

During the 1960’s, Ruth was the editor and owner of the Springfield Negro Post and also wrote for other local newspapers. She earned a Communications Operator license and was invited to host a program on WMAS 1450, which led to her serving as hostess of “Spotlight on Springfield” from October, 1969 until her retirement in 1998.

Besides her love for the communications industry and her musical abilities, Ruth also had a love for people and politics. She worked as a nurse’s aide at the former Springfield Hospital, was a member of the Massachusetts Women’s Defense Corps of the National Guard and served as a precinct worker and Ward 1 leader in addition to running for the Springfield City Council at one point, receiving 2,000 votes.

Ruth joined the NAACP in the 1950’s and served as that organization’s president. She was actively involved during the turbulent civil rights years and served as the chapter’s first chairperson of the Harambee committee.

Former Mayor Frank H. Freedman appointed her chairperson of Springfield’s first citywide memorial service for the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ruth organized the Pastor’s Council Choir to provide the music. Ten years later, the name of the choir was changed to the Freedom Choir.

In 1986, Ruth became part of a group of African Americans who worked together to have the Black American Heritage Flag recognized by the Springfield community. With the assistance of then councilman Morris Jones, an ordinance was passed and the flag began to be flown annually during the month of February for Black History Month and when honoring a Black American.

In 1987, the Harambee Committee nominated Ruth as its Woman of the Year. That same year, she graduated cum laude from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a B.A. degree in Education/Media at the young age of 73! She also pledged the Kappa Delta Phi Sorority.

If possible, Ruth’s life seemed to shift into higher gear at this point as she became the winner in 1989 of the state’s first “Massachusetts Senior Sweetheart” contest, which was held in Fall River. She was voted the best in the Swim Suit, Talent and Community Service categories.

The 1990’s found Ruth as active as ever. She became one of the founding members of the African American Seniors Activity Center Committee and was elected as the group’s first president. She was appointed by former Mayor Michael J. Albano to the Springfield Commission on Aging, and was appointed by former Governor Paul A. Celluci to the state African American Advisory Commission. During this same time period, she received the “Eye on the Prize” award presented by Channel 57 WGBY Public Television and was honored as one of 25 African American Women from the Springfield area who had made a difference in the community.

It is almost unbelievable, unless you know Ruth B. Loving as we do, to believe that this woman is still going strong. We will not reveal her age but you can do the math. Besides becoming a member of the Massachusetts Senior Action Council in 2000, she also serves as its membership coordinator, is a member of the Mason Square Advisory Board at the Neighborhood Health Center, is once again hosting “Spotlight on Springfield” on Sunday mornings on WMAS 1450, is on the staff at MLKCC and is the editor of Point of View’s “Seniors in Action” column.

To say that Ruth B. Loving remains actively involved in all facets of Springfield’s Black community is an understatement. Whenever you want something done, you know you can count on her. And you also know that she will always call it as she sees it. Needless to say, we, at Point of View, view her as our Hero! n