Ellis, Ruth, 1899-2000

African American lesbian.

From the description of Ruth Ellis papers, 1900s-2000. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 83386425

African-American lesbian.

From the description of Ruth Ellis photographs. ca. 1900-1990s. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 43699875

Ruth Ellis was born on July 23, 1899 in Springfield Illinois, the youngest of four children born to Charles and Carrie Ellis. After the death of her mother, Ellis and her brothers were raised by her father. At age 37, she moved to Detroit and was soon joined by her partner, Cicilene "Babe" Franklin also of Springfield. The couple stayed together for more than thirty years, during which time they bought a home on Oakland Avenue and opened a small print shop, the Ellis and Franklin Printing Company.

During the late 1930s and 1940s the Ellis/Franklin house served as a meeting place and temporary shelter for Gay men and Lesbians. Ms. Ellis ran the print shop until her retirement at age 65. She actively participated in the events of the Lesbian community nation-wide until her death in 2000 at the age of 101.

From the guide to the Ruth Ellis papers, 1910-2000, 1997-2000, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)