Ruby Watson

Ruby Watson (March 26, 1926 – April 2002) was a prominent figure in the sport of fencing known for her advocacy for the inclusion of women in the sport at both the U.S. National and Olympic level. She was a competitor in both épée and sabre fencing. She was born in Harlem, New York and died in Brooklyn in 2002. She was nominated to the US Fencing Association's Hall of Fame in 2025.

Early life and education Watson grew up in Harlem, New York City and studied at Hunter College. She earned a master's degree from Empire State College. She moved to Brooklyn where she spent the majority of her life and career.

Fencing career and advocacy While living in Brooklyn, Watson joined the Fencer's Club where she competed in any épée and sabre competition she could find. Later she joined Metropolis fencing.

Death and posthumous accolades Ruby Watson struggled with cancer in her later life but still found time to advocate for women's inclusion in the sport throughout bouts of surgery and various treatments. She was also nominated for the 2025 US Fencing Hall of Fame. Watson is remembered in the Museum of American Fencing: Ruby Watson of the Metropolitan Division was the most formidable voice year after year for the development and inclusion of Women’s Epee and Women’s Saber in US Division 1 and Olympic events. No matter what negative press and ridicule she absorbed, regardless of consistent refusals, and no matter what illogical explanations the fencing associations of the world gave her as to why women should not have the right to fence the 2 weapons, Ruby never took no for an answer and fought for women’s fencing rights in the United States until the day she died. We all owe Ruby Watson.