Alice Ball - Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History Read Aloud | Inspirational Biographies

The video joyfully celebrates the life and accomplishments of Alice Ball, a remarkable African-American chemist and medical researcher who was born in 1892. Her groundbreaking work in the field of science, particularly in leprosy research, has left a lasting impact. Despite facing numerous societal obstacles as an African-American woman, Alice managed to obtain dual degrees in pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacy. In 1915, she achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first woman and the first African-American to earn a master's degree from the University of Hawaii. It was during her studies that she developed the revolutionary "Ball Method," a pioneering treatment for leprosy that remained in use until the 1940s. Although her achievements were initially overlooked, historians finally acknowledged her pivotal role in the discovery in the 1970s. In 2000, the University of Hawaii paid tribute to her legacy by dedicating a plaque in her honor and establishing "Alice Ball Day" on February 29th.