Alice Ball

Alice Augusta Ball 1892 - 1916

Alice Ball is the first woman, and first Black student to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Hawaii. She later became the first Black professor at the University of Hawaii.

Ball earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of Washington. Even as an undergrad Ball’s brilliance was evident. She published an article in the Journal of the American Chemical Society titled “Benzoylations in Ether Solution.” Her publication and rising success in the field was uncommon for Black women, but all women.

Ball is best known for her pioneering efforts to advance the treatment of patients suffering from Hansen’s Disease (more commonly referred to as leprosy). This bacteria spreading infection was highly lethal and prior to Alice Ball’s contributions, nearly impossible to treat. The “Ball Method” helped reverse this. The Ball Method involved an injectable oil extract that Ball developed from the seeds of the chaulmoogra tree.