"Ruth Gardena Birnie"(August 15,1884-June 10,1956)

Was one of the earliest African-American pharmacist in South Carolina,male or female.In the early 1900s,health care among blacks in Sumter and the surrounding rural areas was improved as the result of Ruth's work as a pharmacist.She also helped enhance the social life of local blacks by making her drugstore available as a gathering place for those whose social outlets were restricted.Ruth was born to Moses and Louise Harrison in Sumter,South Carolina.The Harrison's had six children-Louise,Katie,Melinda,Rosa,Page,and William.Since her parents died while she was very,young,Ruth was reared by Martha A.Savage,a teacher.Ruth graduated from Lincoln School an early African American school in Sumter.Later she taught there for a short period of time.As was customary for women during the early twentieth century. she learned to sew,and she used her talents as seamstress while teaching.In 1902,when she was eighteen Ruth married Charles Wainwright Birnie,who came to Sumter as its first African American Physician.Charles,a native of Charleston,South Carolina,was educated at Avery Institute,Wilbraham Academy, Oberlin College,and and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.Sixteen years after their marriage,the Birnies gave birth to a daughter, Anna.As Charles practice, grew, he and Martha Ruth foster mother, encouraged Ruth to pursue pharmacy as a profession. She entered Benedict College,then went on to Temple University and received her degree in pharmacy. Upon her return to South Carolina, Ruth became one of the earliest African-American pharmacists in the state. About 1912, she opened her drugstore, People's Pharmacy,on West Liberty Street.She worked in close proximity to her husband.Charles office was located upstairs and thePeople's Pharmacy was located downstairs in the same building on West Liberty Street.Ruth drugstore was open for service Monday through Friday from 8:00 TO 9:00 P.M. and Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00P.M.In addition to medicine,the store sold ice cream,sodas,and sundries, and was a social gathering place for African Americans, most especially for those from the rural areas on weekends.She was often accompanied by her husband to rural areas when he was summoned to deliver children or to treat illnesses.Their working relationship appears to have been strong, and both were committed to medicine and had respect for professional responsibility.Ruth and Charles also had a strong commitment to the community.According to Anna,"They were very interested in young people getting and education."The Birnies entertained the graduates of Lincoln High School in their home annually for many years and gave scholarships to students. The couple loved people and arranged parties to celebrate various occasions. After Charles died in 1938,Ruth closed People's Pharmacy.She was active in the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, the Federated Club, "One More Effort"(a club participating in the South Carolina Federation of Colored Women),and the Palmetto Medical,Dental and Pharmaceutical Association.Ruth became an avid reader of the classics.