Ruth Zalph papers, 1980-2024

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Summary

Creator:
Zalph, Ruth and Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
Abstract:
Ruth Zalph is a Chapel Hill-based activist for peace, a founding member of the Triangle Raging Grannies, and a member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Triangle Chapter. Collection documents Ruth Zalph's activism and humanitarian work from the 1980s to 2024. It contains documents, newspaper clippings, photographs, and audiovisual and electronic materials related to her participation in pacifist and antinuclear protests and organizations, her civil rights and economic justice advocacy, and her travels for Habitat for Humanity. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
Extent:
4.75 Linear Feet (5 boxes, 1 oversize folder)
2.7 Gigabytes
26 items
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.13002

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents Ruth Zalph's activism and humanitarian work from the 1980s to 2024. It contains documents, newspaper clippings, photographs, and audiovisual and electronic materials related to her participation in pacifist and antinuclear protests and organizations, her civil rights and economic justice advocacy, and her travels for Habitat for Humanity. The collection also contains a number of files that reflect Zalph's ongoing interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many of the collection materials are annotated by Zalph. Topics and organizations in this collection include: nuclear weapons and the antinuclear movement, corporate power and economic justice, civil rights and equality, pacifism, Jewish identity, Quaker faith, Raging Grannies, Habitat for Humanity, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and International Peace Walk.

The Activism Papers series consists of documents, newspaper clippings and printed materials, and other items related to Zalph's activism and interests. Materials include arrest records, files for different organizations and protests, letters to the editor and other writings, travel files, and files about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Also of interest are autobiographical narratives that provide details about the history of Zalph's activism.

The Activism Photos and Scrapbooks series contains scrapbooks and photo albums, most of them disbound, that feature photos from peace summits, protests, and Habitat for Humanity trips to build houses in places such as India, Nicaragua, and Papua New Guinea. Both the scrapbooks and the photo albums contain additional materials such as pamphlets, clippings, and notes related to the trip or subject. Also included in the series are personal photos of Zalph and her friends and family.

The Audiovisual Materials series and the Electronic Records series consist of microcassettes, computer disks, and USB drives that contain Zalph's reflections on her activism and humanitarian work, Habitat for Humanity house dedications, interviews, and files from Zalph's travels.

Biographical / historical:

Ruth Zalph was born July 17, 1930 and grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. She holds a B.A. in Education from the University of Miami and retired from teaching in Dade County School systems in 1990 after 20 years of serving elementary children with reading disabilities. She began her activism and humanitarian work in the 1980s with multiple trips abroad, including trips to India and Papua New Guinea to participate in Habitat for Humanity's house construction and community outreach. She also participated in the International Peace Walk in 1988 in Ukraine from Odesa to Kiev. Ruth moved to North Carolina in the late 1990s with her son and his wife after they received a job transfer to IBM. After moving to Chapel Hill, N.C., Ruth became a founding member of Triangle Raging Grannies and a member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Triangle chapter. She continues to be politically active in protests with the Raging Grannies and WILPF, and most recently she was arrested in 2018 protesting the nomination and confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. Zalph's Jewish identity and Quaker faith are central to her activism, along with a spiritual commitment to peace, non-violence, and justice with special attention to the Israel/Palestine conflict.

Acquisition information:
The Ruth Zalph Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift from Ruth Zalph in 2021 and 2024.
Processing information:

Processed by Shiloh Jines, May 2023

Accession 2024-0147 added and collection updated by Reina Henderson and Leah Tams, October 2025

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2021-0101, 2024-0147.

Arrangement:

Arranged into the following series: Activism Papers, Activism Photos and Scrapbooks, Audiovisual Materials, Electronic Records.

Physical facet:

Approximately 550 files.

Microcassettes

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Access note. Some materials in this collection are electronic records that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.

Access note. Collection contains original audiovisual items that may need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ruth Zalph papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1z73h