Alice Ball (jul 24, 1892 – dec 31, 1916)

Description:

Alice Ball (July 24, 1892 - December 31, 1916), Chemist and Pharmacist

Life:
Alice Ball grew up in Seattle, Washington where she also attended the University of Washington, earning degrees in pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacy. At the time, this was unheard of for a young African American female, but she defied the expectations and sought a career in science. In 1915, she became the first woman and African American to graduate with a master’s degree from the University of Hawaii.

Contributions to Science:
While working on her thesis, she found what would become the leading treatment for leprosy, the Dean Method, which was used until the 1940s. However, she passed away shortly after her discovery, and was not credited until the 1970s when historians dug up the truth. On February 29th, 2000, the University of Hawaii recognized her for her important discovery and declared that day Alice Ball Day.

Death:
Ball's original death certificate cites tuberculosis as the cause. It is thought that her cause of death may have been chlorine poisoning, as Ball demonstrated hoe to properly wear a gas mask in preparation for World War I.

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