"Ruth Ellis"{July 23,1899-October5,2000}

Was the oldest known open lesbian and LGBT rights activist.She was born in Springfield Illinois,

to Charlie Ellis and Carrie Farro Ellis.Ruth was the youngest  of four children in the family and the only daughter.Her parents were born in the last years of slaveryin Tennessee.Ellis mother died when she was only a teen.Ruth came out as a lesbian around 1915,at a time when fewer than seven percent of African Americans graduated from secondary school.In the 1920s,she met the only woman she ever lived with,Ceciline "Babe"Franklin.They moved together to Detriot Michigan in 1937 where Ruth became the first American woman to own a printing shop in that city.She made a living printing stationery,fliers,and posters out of her house.Ruth and Ceciline house was also known in the African American communityas 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.Ruth and Ceciline eventually separated,they were together for more than 30 years.Ceciline died in 1973.Ruth died in her sleep at home.