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Ruth Ellis of Detroit, Michigan was well known in the Gay community as the oldest known African American Lesbian. She was a business woman, owned a printing company, and held social gatherings at her home at a time when there were few opportunities for Gay African Americans to gather. During the last twenty years of her life she was active in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community and in the Senior Citizens movement. The collection contains correspondence, photographs, and publications.

The Ruth Ellis collection contains correspondence, photographs, and publications related to Ms. Ellis's life and her activities in the Gay and Lesbian community. The papers are arranged in the following series: Papers, Correspondence, and Events; Photographs; and Miscellaneous Materials.