Ruth Ellis

“Who would wanna read a book about my life? I’m nobody. I’m just Ruth.”

 

Ruth Charlotte Ellis (1899 – 2000) was a black American woman who became widely known as the “oldest surviving open lesbian”, and LGBT rights activist who at the age of 101 was described as: ‘living, breathing reservoir of African-American LGBTQ history’.

Born in Illinois in 1899 she was the only daughter of four children. Her mother died young so she was raised by her father, who had been born a slave but later became the first black mailman in the states. At the age of 16, Ellis developed a crush on her female gym teacher. After reading a sex education textbook given to her by her father, Ellis began identifying herself as a lesbian in 1915. However, she claimed that she never had to “come out” officially because her family were accepting of her sexuality: “One night I had this girlfriend stay, and we made a little too much noise. The only thing my father ever said to me was, ‘Next time you girls make that much noise, I will put you both out.'” In 1919, she graduated from high school, which at the time was true of less than 7% of the African American community.

In the 1920s, she met her only serious partner, Ceciline "Babe" Franklin, and the pair moved in together in 1937.  She originally worked as a nanny for a white boy, earning only $7 a week (now about $125), however after receiving an inheritance, Ellis set up her own print shop in her living room. She became the first woman in Michigan to have her own printing business, at a time when black women owned less than 1% of business in Detroit.

Ellis and Franklin's house became known within the black community as the “gay spot". Famous for hosting gay and lesbian parties, it also became a refuge for black LGBT+ people. Ellis gave support to those in need by providing books, food, and even assistance with college tuition. Throughout her life, Ellis was an advocate of the rights of the black and LGBT+ communities.  

Her age did not slow her accomplishments, as her 100th birthday drew near, Ellis was being recognized in many major LGBT publications across the country, right as her documentary-like movie was coming out, "Living With Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100." The film won several awards, and shows her as a vibrant and active woman who loved to meet people through dancing. On her 100th birthday, she led and was sung happy birthday by the San Francisco’s Dyke March. Although Ellis and Franklin eventually separated, they were together for more than 30 years.

Ellis died in her sleep in October 2000. Her ashes were spread in the following Womyn's festival and into the ocean in Ghana. In 2009, she was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame. In 2013, she was inducted into the Legacy Walk, an outdoor public display which celebrates LGBT history and people.

Today, the Ruth Ellis Center celebrates her life and remains one of only 4 organisations in the US dedicated to homeless LGBT+ youth. This service offers a drop-in center, street outreach program, licensed foster care home and an integrated Health and Wellness Center that provides medical and mental health care.

Ruth’s story is beautiful not only because of the selfless work she did for her communities, but also because it disproves the idea that all lesbians before the stone-wall era lived in shame and hiding. Her family’s acceptance of her sexuality and her academic/business achievements as a young black woman challenge many stereotypes concerning the black and LGBT+ communities. Not only does it show their successful presence in twentieth century America, it also challenges the traditional timeline of human progress and tolerance. Ruth shows that you can be whoever and whatever you wish, regardless of class, gender, sexuality, or race.  And she did it all while dancing.