Sarah E. Ray Project

10/17/2024

Thank you to the Detroit River Stories podcast for this discussion about my Detroit journey and my research on the woman who integrated the Boblo Boat in 1948, Sarah E. Ray. I highly recommend this great podcast series by Bailey Jean Flannery about life on the Detroit River! (Available on all major podcast platforms)

PS: And there's a hint about my next project with Wayne State University Press !

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jeEG0Mr7qbl3KGuYdwAWt?si=e46c97aa28474fce

Detroit River Stories · Episode

11/17/2023

We at The Sarah E. Ray project have been working on raising awareness of this forgotten civil rights icon for years. Now Sarah Ray's story has been acknowledged by the New York Times!

Sarah Elizabeth Ray was asked to get off a boat while attending a graduation trip in 1945 because she was African American. In 1948, her case reached the U.S. Supreme Court - who ruled in her favor.

07/07/2023

Thank you to the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan for hosting the Sarah E. Ray Project to talk about Bob-Lo, segregation in Detroit's places of leisure, and the role of the Jewish community in forging equal opportunity for all. We had a long talk about Lizz Haskell's husband, Rafael Haskell, and his role in establishing Action House!

06/13/2023

Find out more on June 29!

Bob-Lo Island (Bois Blanc, Ontario) was Detroit's Coney Island, running from 1898 to 1993.  Fondly remembered for its amusement-park amenities, it was also known for its segregated ferry boats.  In June 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray, a 24-year-old Black secretary, was denied a seat on the SS Columbia....

05/10/2023

Unsung Civil Rights Hero Sarah Elizabeth Ray Finally Gets Her Due

05/04/2023

This month we lost a great civil rights activist, Harry Belafonte. Here he is with one of Detroit's forgotten civil rights heroes--our very own Sarah E. Ray (who by the time this picture was taken went by the name of Lizz Haskell)!

03/29/2023

There's a new owner of the Sarah E. Ray (Lizz Haskell) house! We can't wait to hear more about her plans. What do you think?

A Detroit civil rights pioneer who broke down barriers will now be the inspiration for a museum at the site of her old home.

03/17/2023

On March 18th learn more about Detroit’s “Other Rosa Parks” and watch Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale! Following a FREE PRESENTATION with Desiree Cooper, Aaron Schillinger and the Sarah E. Ray Project, The Henry Ford will screen Boblo Boats on their Giant Screen in 4K

Free Presentation starts at 1pm
Boblo Boats film starts at 3pm
Tickets 🎟️👉https://rb.gy/kz3r6z

12/27/2022

Today is the birthday of Detroit’s nearly forgotten civil right’s activist, Sarah E. Ray. She bravely forced the integration of Boblo in 1945 and paved the way for sweeping change across the United States. She would have been 105 years old today. Her full story 👉🏿 www.saraherayproject.com

09/15/2022

Make sure you see this movie! Look here for metro Detroit showtime starting Thursday, September 15!

Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale https://g.co/kgs/o6RLqK

Film's release follows more than 100 years of history, seven years of filming and one disastrous fire.

09/04/2022

We've finished our oral histories project with "The Children of Action House!" Visit our website weekly as we post a new one. The memories will make you laugh and touch your heart.

The documentary series ‘The Children of Action House’ focuses on the life and achievements of Sarah E. Ray

08/16/2022

A celebration of Sarah E. Ray, the woman who integrated the Boblo Boat in 1948, will take place from 1-5 p.m. Saturday outside the Palmer Park Community House. The event is free! Listen to this great interview on WDET with organizer Barbara Barefield !!

Often considered Detroit's other Rosa Parks, Sarah E. Ray paved the way for desegregation. Her legacy will be honored at Palmer Park this weekend.