Alice Ball

Alice Augusta Ball (1892–1916) was a brilliant African-American chemist whose work brought healing and hope to thousands suffering from Hansen’s disease (leprosy). Born in Seattle, she excelled in science from a young age and went on to earn advanced degrees in chemistry and pharmacy, becoming one of the first African-American women to publish in a major scientific journal.

While working in Hawaiʻi, Ball developed a groundbreaking medical treatment that transformed chaulmoogra oil into a safe, effective injectable medicine. Known later as the “Ball Method,” her discovery became the world’s standard treatment for leprosy for over 20 years, allowing many patients to recover and return home rather than live in forced isolation.

Tragically, Alice Ball died at just 24 years old before her work was fully recognized. Though others initially took credit, history has since restored her legacy. Her life reminds us how God-given gifts, courage, and compassion can bring dignity, healing, and lasting change—even in a short time. (Wikipedia 1/24/2026)