A diversion from the Jamaica LGBTQ History feature but important.
Ruth Ellis - US Lesbian Activist - credited as the oldest known lesbian on record, she lived to be a 101.
check: GLBT History Month's site for more US related information
b. July 23, 1899
d. October 5, 2000
“I never expected I’d be 100 years old. It didn’t even come to my mind.”
Ruth Ellis, who lived to be 101, was credited with being the oldest known lesbian and GLBT civil rights activist.
Ellis was born in Springfield, Illinois, at the end of the 19th century—the youngest of four children and the only girl. Her parents were born in Tennessee during the last years of slavery. Ellis’s father was the first African-American mail carrier in Springfield.
Ellis attended Springfield High School at a time when very few African-Americans enrolled in secondary education. She was aware of her sexual orientation by the time she was 16. Ellis remembered her high school gym teacher as her first female attraction.
In the early 1920’s, Ellis met Ceciline “Babe” Franklin. They became friends and lovers for more than 35 years.
When Ellis moved to Detroit in the 1930’s, Babe joined her. The couple bought a house and Ellis started a printing business. She was the first woman in Michigan to own and operate a printing company.
Their house became the local hangout for African-American gays and lesbians. Known as the “gay spot,” Ellis opened her home for parties and dances, and never turned down a gay or lesbian friend who needed a place to stay.
In the latter part of her life, Ellis became a well-known figure in the GLBT community, first locally, then nationally. She attended events and programs across the country, often as a speaker or special guest. She enjoyed dancing and socializing, even in her old age.
In 1999, Ellis's life was made the subject of the documentary “Living With Pride: Ruth C. Ellis @ 100,” directed by Yvonne Welbon. The film was screened at film festivals worldwide, and won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the San Francisco International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in 1999.
Ellis lived in three centuries; she passed away in 2000. The Ruth Ellis Center honors her life and is dedicated to serving homeless GLBT youth and young adults.
b. July 23, 1899
d. October 5, 2000
“I never expected I’d be 100 years old. It didn’t even come to my mind.”
Ruth Ellis, who lived to be 101, was credited with being the oldest known lesbian and GLBT civil rights activist.
Ellis was born in Springfield, Illinois, at the end of the 19th century—the youngest of four children and the only girl. Her parents were born in Tennessee during the last years of slavery. Ellis’s father was the first African-American mail carrier in Springfield.
Ellis attended Springfield High School at a time when very few African-Americans enrolled in secondary education. She was aware of her sexual orientation by the time she was 16. Ellis remembered her high school gym teacher as her first female attraction.
In the early 1920’s, Ellis met Ceciline “Babe” Franklin. They became friends and lovers for more than 35 years.
When Ellis moved to Detroit in the 1930’s, Babe joined her. The couple bought a house and Ellis started a printing business. She was the first woman in Michigan to own and operate a printing company.
Their house became the local hangout for African-American gays and lesbians. Known as the “gay spot,” Ellis opened her home for parties and dances, and never turned down a gay or lesbian friend who needed a place to stay.
In the latter part of her life, Ellis became a well-known figure in the GLBT community, first locally, then nationally. She attended events and programs across the country, often as a speaker or special guest. She enjoyed dancing and socializing, even in her old age.
In 1999, Ellis's life was made the subject of the documentary “Living With Pride: Ruth C. Ellis @ 100,” directed by Yvonne Welbon. The film was screened at film festivals worldwide, and won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the San Francisco International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in 1999.
Ellis lived in three centuries; she passed away in 2000. The Ruth Ellis Center honors her life and is dedicated to serving homeless GLBT youth and young adults.
Bibliography
Boykin, Keith. “Ruth Ellis’s Tale of Two Cities: A Modern Fairy Tale in Black & White.” 16 May 2009
Ellis, Ruth. “Giving Back: The Gay Spot – Detroit, Michigan 1941 – 1971." 16 May, 2009
Ellis, Ruth. “Struggling for Our Rights: Coming of Age in Springfield, Illinois 1899 – 1919.” 16 May, 2009
Ruth Ellis – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 17 May, 2009
Welbon, Yvonne. “Ruth Ellis: The Oldest 'Out' Lesbian Known.” 16 May, 2009
Film
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Pride-Ruth-Ellis-100/dp/0967597609/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=video&qid=1248187396&sr=8-2 directed by Yvonne Welbon
Other Resources
NPR Interview
Short Biography from University of Vermont
The Ruth Ellis Center
The Life of Ruth Ellis, America's Oldest Lesbian Rights ActivistRead more: http://www.utne.com/Politics/Ruth-Ellis-Americas-Oldest-Lesbian.aspx#ixzz28ugz13wv
Boykin, Keith. “Ruth Ellis’s Tale of Two Cities: A Modern Fairy Tale in Black & White.” 16 May 2009
Ellis, Ruth. “Giving Back: The Gay Spot – Detroit, Michigan 1941 – 1971." 16 May, 2009
Ellis, Ruth. “Struggling for Our Rights: Coming of Age in Springfield, Illinois 1899 – 1919.” 16 May, 2009
Ruth Ellis – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 17 May, 2009
Welbon, Yvonne. “Ruth Ellis: The Oldest 'Out' Lesbian Known.” 16 May, 2009
Film
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Pride-Ruth-Ellis-100/dp/0967597609/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=video&qid=1248187396&sr=8-2 directed by Yvonne Welbon
Other Resources
NPR Interview
Short Biography from University of Vermont
The Ruth Ellis Center
The Life of Ruth Ellis, America's Oldest Lesbian Rights ActivistRead more: http://www.utne.com/Politics/Ruth-Ellis-Americas-Oldest-Lesbian.aspx#ixzz28ugz13wv
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