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Ruth Ellis (July 23, 1899 - October 5, 2000) was the oldest known open lesbian and a die-hard LGBT rights activist. Her life was the subject of the documentary Living With Pride: Ruth C. Ellis @ 100.

Ruth Ellis was born in Springfield, Illinois, on July 23, 1899 to Charlie Ellis and Carrie Farro Ellis. She was the youngest of four children and the only daughter. Her parents were born in the last years of slavery in Tennessee.

Ruth came out as a lesbian around 1915. Her mother died just as Ruth began puberty. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1919, at a time when fewer than 7% 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 Detroit, Michigan in 1937. Ruth became the first American woman to own a printing business in Detroit. She made a living printing stationery, fliers, and posters out of her house.

Ruth and Babe'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. Ruth and Babe stayed together for over 30 years. Babe died in 1973.

Throughout her life, Ruth Ellis was an advocate for the rights of gays and lesbians, as well as for the rights of African Americans. She became a role model for African Americans, lesbians, and seniors.

She died in her sleep at her home on October 5, 2000.

The Ruth Ellis Center honors the life and work of Ruth Ellis.

The center is one of only four agencies in the United States dedicated to helping homeless LGBT teens and young adults. They have a drop-in center and street outreach program as well as housing teens and young adults in an emergency shelter and transitional living programs.

The center is located at 77 Victor St. Highland Park, Michigan 48203. Ruth Ellis Center can be reached at 313-252-1950

• Curve Magazine article
• Ruth Ellis Center
• Soul Talk Radio audio interview
• Ruth Ellis's Tale of Two Cities: A Modern Fairy Tale in Black & White
• Living With Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100