Alice Augusta Ball broke barriers long before the world ever gave her credit for it. Born in 1892, she became the first African American and first woman to earn a Master of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Hawaii — and the first woman to teach chemistry there.
By age 23, she had developed a groundbreaking treatment for Hansen’s disease (leprosy) using chaulmoogra oil, creating what became known as the “Ball Method.” Her work transformed patient care worldwide, yet she never received recognition during her lifetime. Alice died in 1916 at just 24, and others continued her research without properly crediting her pioneering contribution.
Decades later, the medical community finally acknowledged the truth: Alice Ball’s discovery saved countless lives and remained the most effective treatment for Hansen’s disease for years. In 2000, the University of Hawaii officially honored her legacy as one of its most distinguished graduates.
A brilliant mind. A forgotten hero. A legacy finally restored.
Source: africanarchives
