Coming from five generations of Ku Klux Klan members, 58-year-old “Ms. Ruth” sews hoods and robes for Klan members seven days a week, blessing each one when it’s done. A red satin outfit for an Exalted Cyclops, the head of a local chapter, costs about $140. She uses the earnings to help care for her 40-year-old quadriplegic daughter, “Lilbit,” who was injured in a car accident 10 years ago.

The following is a photo essay about Ms. Ruth by New York photojournalist Anthony Karen, a former Marine who has spent several years photographing members of the Ku Klux Klan. The essay includes audio of interviews with Karen and Ms. Ruth.

Listen to Anthony Karen introduce himself and his photo essay:

Karen talks about meeting Ms. Ruth:

Ms. Ruth talks about life at home:

Listen to Ms. Ruth talk about the KKK:

Ms. Ruth talks about the KKK:

Karen talks about a day in the life at Ms. Ruth’s house:

Karen talks about attending his first KKK rally:

Karen talks about the reluctance of KKK members to let him photograph them:

Listen to the Karen talk about this photo:

Ms. Ruth talks about robe colors:

Karen talks about this photo:

Listen to the photographer talk about his relationship with Ms. Ruth:

Listen to the Karen talk about this photo: