Ruth Ella Moore

Ruth Ella Moore (May 19, 1903 – July 19, 1994 She was a professor of bacteriology at Howard University. A decade later, she was installed as the head of the department of bacteriology, which she renamed to the department of microbiology. During that period she was promoted to associate professor of microbiology.

She published her research on tuberculosis, immunology, dental caries, the response of gut microorganisms to antibiotics, and the blood types of African-Americans.

Although there are gaps in the official personnel records of the university, Moore is believed to have continued to teach and conduct her research at Howard until 1973, after which she held the position of associate professor emeritus of microbiology until 1990.

Moore also gained recognition as a fashion designer.

Early life and education Ruth Ella Moore was born in Columbus, Ohio, Her mother was a successful artist. As a graduate of Columbus State College of Art and Design, she always encouraged Ruth to strive for a college degree and beyond.

Moore attended the Ohio State University for both her undergraduate and graduate education. During her undergraduate years, Moore was a member of Delta Sigma Theta- one of the Divine nine sororities. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1926 and her Master of Science degree in 1927. as well as the first African American of any gender to earn a PhD in Bacteriology. The Ohio State University was one of the few universities in the United States admitting Black students at the time. At the time, tuberculosis was the second largest cause of death in the United States. In 1957, Moore stepped down from her departmental leadership position, but continued to teach and conduct research on bacteriology at the university. She retired from teaching at Howard University in 1973 and held the position of the associate professor emeritus of microbiology until 1990. It is unclear whether she ever received tenure despite her long career of teaching and research. which she joined in 1936. As a Black woman, she faced restrictions to attending American Society for Microbiology meetings, particularly where Jim Crow laws were in effect, mandating segregation in hotels and conference venues.

Moore's research was published in a wide variety of professional journals and publications, from the Journal of the American Medical Association to the American Journal of Physical Anthropology. Some of her research included significant contributions in the study of blood types, and the reaction of specific pathogens to different classes of antibiotics.

Research into blood types Her publications in the 1950s were on blood types among African Americans. Moore's study took place at Howard University College of Medicine. The university population included African Americans from throughout the United States. With few exemptions in the states represented, this diversity made her participants a random sample for Black Americans. Additionally, she was awarded two honorary degrees during her career, a doctorate in literature from Oberlin College and, in 1973, a doctorate of philosophy from Gettysburg College.

Moore received the Centennial Award for Distinguished Alumni from Ohio State University.

In 2005, U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson introduced a congressional bill recognizing the work of Ruth Ella Moore along with that of other scientists in the United States.

Ohio State University College of Public Health created the Ella Moore First Generation Student Scholarship to honor Moore’s legacy and to support upcoming trailblazers in a similar field.

Lifetime passion for fashion design Moore was also a seamstress with a passion for fashion design shared with her mother.

She loved elegant, classic styles of clothing and designed and constructed her own garments for most occasions, from day to evening wear, and from tailored to draped components.