The Ruth Laughlin papers date from 1956 to 1997 and measure 3.35 linear feet. The papers are arranged in seven series: Biographical, Education, Religion, Personal Correspondence, Diaries, Writing, and Photographs. As Ruth's mother Lois Laughlin writes in the Introduction to the Diaries, the material in this collection tells "the feelings of a young woman of the turbulent mid-years of th[e] twentieth century when the Vietnam war, the civil rights movement, and the feminist movement had massive impact on the behavior and attitudes of just about everybody and every institution" of American society. The Biographical series (1965-1989) contains documents such as Laughlin’s birth certificate and passport, job materials, financial records, and materials relating to her death. The series also holds correspondence between Laughlin’s mother and her friends after Ruth Laughlin’s death. The Education series (1960-1985) includes grade reports, teacher assessments of Laughlin, and her writing. Laughlin's concern with and efforts to attain the ideal feminine body are evidenced in the earliest writings of this series. Also included in the Education series are Laughlin's college notes and writings concerning her formal study of Marxism and her creative writing. The Religion series (1964-1982) concerns primarily the Young Friends of North America. This material demonstrates Laughlin's growing network of friends, some of whom she met while working with the apple picking crews in Ohio. The correspondence reflects Laughlin's desire and attempts to establish intimate relationships. The Personal Correspondence series (1971-1986) includes two subseries: Family and Friends. The correspondence for the Family series is arranged chronologically by Incoming and Outgoing categories. The Friends series is arranged alphabetically by friend, with incoming and outgoing correspondence together in the same folder. Of particular interest may be Laughlin's correspondence with friends Brigitta Jecko and Thilo Weichert, whose communications discuss international peace and anti-nuclear movements. George Clayton was a prison inmate with whom Laughlin corresponded. Throughout the Family and Friends subseries Laughlin's interest in social justice and her attempts to set and achieve personal goals in terms of education, personal relationships, and self-awareness are all evidenced. The remaining correspondence relates to Laughlin’s activism and religious practices.

The Diaries series (1969-1986) holds years of Laughlin’s personal diaries where her introspection demonstrates her desire for a strong value system.

The Writing series (1961-1986) includes poetry, political and religious writing, and other community-based writing done by Laughlin.

The Photographs series (1956-1986) contains photographs of Ruth Laughlin’s childhood, her friends and family, and her time in Philidelphia.