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Hidden Figures: Ruth Ellis

2,304 views · Published 24 May 2018 · 6:29 · Indexed 24 October 2026

Channel: Sensei Aishitemasu · 2018 · Entertainment

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Ruth Ellis (1899-2000) was a LGBT rights activist, known to host social gatherings in her home for black LGBT people to safely meet. During the 1930s and 1940s, not many spaces existed for this purpose. At 100 years old, Ellis was recognized as the oldest surviving open lesbian, and LGBT rights activist. Ellis moved to Detroit in the 1930s with her longtime partner, Ceciline “Babe” Franklin, and started a printing business. She became the first woman in Michigan to own and operate a printing company. Their home was also a refuge for the African American LGBT community, locally and nationally. In 2000, she helped dedicate the Ruth Ellis Center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered youth in Detroit. The city of Detroit recognises her contributions by celebrating Ruth Ellis Day in February during Black History Month.

Ellis and Franklin's house was also known in the African American community as the "gay spot". It was a central location for gay and lesbian parties, and also served as a refuge for African American gays and lesbians. Although Ellis and Franklin eventually separated, they were together for more than 30 years, and Franklin died in 1973. Throughout her life, Ellis was an advocate of the rights of gays and lesbians, and of African Americans. She died in her sleep at her home on October 5, 2000, at the age of 101. 

The Ruth Ellis Center, a Detroit area social services agency that serves the needs of runaway, homeless and at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth, honors the life and work of Ruth Ellis, and is one of only four agencies in the United States dedicated to homeless LGBT youth and young adults. Among their services are a licensed foster care home, drop-in center, Street Outreach Program, transitional living programs, and emergency housing shelter. The center is named after Ellis in honor of her allowing her home to serve as a refuge for African American gays and lesbians as early as the 1930s.

In 2013, she was inducted into the Legacy Walk, an outdoor public display which celebrates LGBT history and people.

#RuthElliss #HiddenFigures

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Links: 

Ruth Ellis:
https://web.archive.org/web/20070927011321/http://www.curvemag.com/Detailed/70.html

Ruth Ellis Center:
http://www.ruthelliscenter.org

Living With Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100 (YouTube):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhgMpNP4B8U

Ruth Ellis – Everyday Hero:
https://blog.aclupa.org/2014/02/12/ruth-ellis-everyday-hero/

Ruth Ellis – Activist:
https://equal.org/2010/06/ruth-ellis-–-activist/

The Life of Ruth Ellis, America's Oldest Lesbian Rights Activist:
https://www.utne.com/Politics/Ruth-Ellis-Americas-Oldest-Lesbian

Sisters In The Life:
https://web.archive.org/web/20080219071433/http://www.sistersinthelife.com/1024index.html

Ruth Ellis NMAAHC post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BglsGl2H0EN/?hl=cs&taken-by=nmaahc

Ruth Ellis (Wikipedia):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis_(activist)

Ruth Ellis Center (Wikipedia):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis_Center

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