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Tireless Champion of Human Rights

In his own right and on his own record, Ramon S. Scruggs stands out as one of the most relevant figures of this age - a man whose career not only helped enlarge the human dimensions of the world in which he did business - but as a pioneer who blazed an incandescent trail for many to follow.

To tabulate his years of unselfish service for the benefit of his people and his community would fill volumns; but the intensity of his feeling for his brother and sister Americans, his faith in this country's ability to unite in a national belief and support of equal rights and equal opportunities for all its citizens, his unceasing striving to eliminate racial bigotry and discrimination have earned him the right to the title of guardian of social responsibility. 

Ray Scruggs, like so many of his generation, was born at a time when to be black and poor constituted a double jeopardy. His father, James Scruggs, was born into slavery - his mother, Mary Louise, born free - and though Scruggs senior never rose above the level of laborer, he was a hard working man with enormous initiative, holding more than one job at a time whenever he could. They instilled in their children a craving to learn and to improve their lot and as a result all the Scruggs' children received a good education. For young Ray particularly it has been a determined journey from his childhood in Nashville to his most recent job as the crusading Director of AT&T's Minority Affairs Division. Along the way he obtained a B.A. Degree in Business Administration from Fisk University, broke new ground with a baking powder company as the first black sales representative hired to develop the minority market. He then left to take over the directorship of an Urban League summer camp for underpriveleged black boys called Green Pastures, which led to his job as Director of Boys' Work for the YMCA in Detroit, holding this position until he joined Michigan Bell in 1939. Ray Scruggs became the first black man to fill a management post with this company, an event that was considered of such significance The Michigan Chronicle, a newspaper serving Detroit's black community, greeted his appointment with a red-letter headline proclaiming "RAMON SCRUGGS GETS TELEPHONE COMPANY POST". At this time, most companies had not yet ventured into the employment of blacks except in menial jobs. Being the first to break through carried a special set of problems, frustrations and a certain amount of overt and covert expressions of hostility and prejudice. There was also pressure from the black community to "do right and make good" - so that others could follow.

Ramon S. Scruggs "did right and made good" and today there are over 100,000 black men and women working in meaningful jobs with the Bell System as against 29,000 a mere ten years ago.

A concern for others and a willingness to get involved are the distinguishing factors in the life and career of this tireless champion of human rights. He has devoted 38 years to serving the Urban League, as many to the NAACP and is the recipient of awards and citations too numerous to list, including two honorary degrees. Of all the awards he has received in his life, Ray Scruggs says he is most proud of the Whitney Moore Young, Jr. Corporate Excellence Award which he was the first to receive in 1973. The opening words read "To Ramon S. Scruggs, for excellence in achieving affirmative action; for best symbolizing the persuasive and perceptive role that Whitney Moore Young, Jr. deemed necessary for black executives in industry to aspire towards [[text cut off]] good of all in this nation."

Ramon S. Scruggs is good for all in this nation, and it is with pride indeed that we honor him today.

[[image - black and white photograph of Ray Scruggs with Halle Bell]]
[[caption]] Ray and Halle Bell [[/caption]]

[[image - black and white photograph of Ray Scruggs addressing an audience]]
[[caption]] Ray addressing the luncheon guests [[/caption]]

[[image - black and white photograph of Vernon Jordan, Ray Scruggs and Helen Davis Scruggs]]
[[caption]] Vernon Jordan, Ray Scruggs, Helen Davis Scruggs, with the newspaper headline plaque which denoted his coming to work for the Detroit Telephone Co. [[/caption]]

[[image - black and white photograph of Vernon Jordan at speaker's podium]]
[[caption]] Vernon Jordan praising Ray [[/caption]]