In the summer of 1961, the Freedom Riders, a group of mostly young people, both black and white, risked their lives to challenge the system of segregation in interstate travel in the South. The purpose of the rides was "to test the Supreme Court's ruling in Boynton v. Virginia (1960), which declared segregation in interstate bus and rail stations unconstitutional" (CORE, 2006). In 2001, participants gathered in Jackson, MS to commemorate the fortieth-anniversary of the freedom rides. Of those that attended, forty-two participants were interviewed; those recordings are available in this collection.
In the spring of 2009, the University of Mississippi Libraries' Archives and Special Collections Department in conjunction with the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation and the University of Mississippi Media & Documentary Projects digitized interviews given by those involved in the freedom rides of 1961.
University departments involved with the original production of the oral histories include: the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, and Media Productions. Individuals involved in the taping, interviewing, and overall success of the Freedom Riders 40th-anniversary oral history project include: Prof. David Wharton, Joe York, Amy C. Evans, Tiffany Hamelin, Evan Hatch, Susan Glisson, April Grayson, Mary Beth Lasseter, Warren Ables, and Mary Hartwell Howorth.
See also: In 2005, the Winter Institute produced The Children Shall Lead, a documentary film about the Freedom Rides with interviews from the participants. Written and produced by Susan M. Glisson and April Grayson, directed by April Grayson.
Image: "Freedom Riders," young Americans riding a Freedom Bus, by unknown, Pop Matters, Creative Commons
-------Also in eGrove: Freedom Riders: The Children Shall Lead, resources compiled by the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation.
2004
Interview with Charles McDew for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Charles McDew, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
2001
Interview with Zev Aelony for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Zev Aelony, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Thomas Madison Armstrong III for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Thomas Madison Armstrong III, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Michael Audain for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Michael Audain, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Robert Baum for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Robert Baum, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Janet Braun-Reinitz for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Janet Braun-Reinitz, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Joan C. Browning for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Joan C. Browning, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Fred Clark for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Fred Clark, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Marv Davidoff for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Marv Davidoff, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Krendell Petway Dendy and Reverend Alfonso K. Petway for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Kredelle Petway Dendy, Alphonso K. Petway, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with John Dolan for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, John Dolan, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Bob Filner for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Bob Filner, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with James Forman for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, James Forman, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Martin Freedman for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Martin Freedman, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Thomas Gaither for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Thomas Gaither, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Frances Geddes for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Frances Geddes, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Albert Gordon for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Albert Gordon, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Stephen Green for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Stephen Green, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Wayne Hartmire for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Wayne Hartmire, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Robert Heller for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Robert Heller, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Frankye Adams-Johnson for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Frankye Adams Johnson, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Edward Kale for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Edward Kale, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Lewis Lansky for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Lewis Lansky, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Mary Harrison Lee for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Mary Harrison Lee, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Margaret Leonard for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Margaret Leonard, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with John Maguire for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, John Maguire, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Helen O'Neal McCray (1 of 2) for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Helen O'Neal McCray, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Helen O'Neal McCray (2 of 2) for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Helen O'Neal McCray, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Joan Mulholland for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Frank Nelson for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Frank Nelson, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Sandra Nixon for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Sandra Nixon, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Claire O'Connor for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Claire O'Connor, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Charles Person for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Charles Person, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Ralph Roy for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Ralph Roy, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Carol Ruth Silver for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Carol Ruth Silver, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Helen Singleton for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Helen Singleton, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Robert Singleton for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Robert Singleton, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Wolcott Smith for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Woolcott Smith, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Peter Stoner for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Peter Stoner, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Clarence Thomas Jr. for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Clarence Thomas Jr., University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with Mary Little-Vance for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, Mary Little Vance, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects
Interview with John Washington for the Freedom Riders 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, 2001, John Washington, University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, University of Mississippi. Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, and University of Mississippi. Center for Media & Documentary Projects