Ruby Hirose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruby Hirose
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Ruby Hirose at William S. Merrell Laboratories
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| Born | August 30, 1904 |
| Died | October 7, 1960 (aged 56) West Reading, PA, USA
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Washington |
| Occupation | pharmacology |
Ruby Sakae Hirose (1904–1960) was an American biochemist and bacteriologist. This means she was a scientist who studied the chemistry of living things and also bacteria. She did important research on how blood clots, and also studied allergies. Later, she researched cancer using special substances called antimetabolites.
Contents
Ruby's Family and Early Life
Ruby Hirose was born in Kent, Washington, on August 30, 1904. Her parents were Shiusaka and Tome Hirose. She was the second of seven children. However, her oldest sibling died very young. This meant Ruby grew up as the oldest of six children. She had four sisters and one brother. They lived near Seattle in an area called White River.
Ruby's younger sister, Fumi, and her mother, Tome, both got tuberculosis. Fumi died in 1925, and her mother died in 1934. Another sister, Tomo, died at age 16 in 1928.
Ruby's father, Shiusaka, was born in Japan. He came to America with Ruby's mother to try farming. At that time, a law called the Naturalization Act of 1870 made it very hard for Asian people to become American citizens. Because of this, many states, including Washington, stopped Asian people from owning land. They were seen as "aliens not allowed to be citizens."
This rule was unfair and was not changed until 1952. Because Ruby was born in America, she was a natural-born citizen. So, the family's land leases and later land purchases were put in Ruby's name. This helped her family own property despite the unfair laws.
In high school, Ruby felt popular and did not notice much prejudice herself. She played sports and sang in the glee club. Ruby preferred to spend time with white students in high school and college. She was also somewhat religious. She went to Sunday School and was part of Christian student groups.
Ruby's Education at the University of Washington
The first generation of Japanese immigrants to the U.S. were called Issei. Their children, born in America, were called Nisei. Ruby was a Nisei. Issei parents wanted their Nisei children to learn Japanese language and culture. So, Japanese language schools were opened. Ruby likely attended the Thomas Japanese Language School.
Ruby's father, Shiusaku Hirose, was a leader in the Japanese community. He helped buy a building to make the language school bigger. However, he later left the organization. In 1934, he became a widower. He moved to Los Angeles in 1936.
When World War II started, the U.S. government issued Executive Order 9066. This order forced many Japanese Americans into special camps. Ruby's father was arrested by the FBI in 1942. He was later released because there was no proof he had done anything wrong.
Ruby went to Thomas Grade School. She was the first Nisei Japanese American to graduate from Auburn High School in 1922. She then went to the University of Washington. Ruby earned her bachelor's degree in pharmacy in 1926. She then got her master's degree in pharmacology (the study of medicines) in 1928.
At this time, women had only recently gained the right to vote (in 1920). While studying for her master's, Ruby lived in a home for women students. This home was supported by a Methodist church group.
The "Second-Generation Problem"
In 1925, Ruby went to a conference for Japanese American students. A big topic there was the "second-generation problem." This was about the cultural differences between the Issei (first generation from Japan) and the Nisei (second generation born in America).
Even though both groups shared Japanese culture, the Nisei spoke English and lived mostly in American culture. They faced challenges like:
- How to relate to their Issei parents.
- How to fit into American society.
- Finding good jobs.
- Dealing with racial prejudice.
These young people were trying to figure out their identity. They wanted to respect their Japanese heritage. But they also wanted to be fully American. It was hard because of the prejudice and lack of job chances. Many Japanese Americans lost their businesses when they were forced into camps during World War II.
One idea to help with job problems was to get more education. Ruby did this, becoming one of the first Japanese Americans to earn a PhD in the United States.
PhD and Career
Ruby received a special scholarship. She moved to Cincinnati to study for her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Cincinnati. In 1931, she received the Moos Fellowship. She also joined Sigma Xi, a group for research advancement. Ruby was also active in Iota Sigma Pi, a women's chemistry group.
In 1932, she earned her PhD. Her main research was about how blood clots. She later published a paper about this work.
After her PhD, Ruby worked at the University of Cincinnati. Then, she was hired by the William S. Merrell Company. There, she researched serums and antitoxins. These are substances used to fight diseases.
In 1940, a report said that more women were finding opportunities in science. Ruby Hirose was listed as one of ten women members in the Cincinnati section of the American Chemical Society.
During World War II, Ruby worked at the Kettering Laboratory. She also taught microbiology. She did research on cancer at Indiana University. In 1946, she published a paper about how certain medicines spread through ointments. Later, she worked as a bacteriologist at Veterans Administration hospitals. She worked in Indianapolis, Dayton, Ohio, and Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Japanese American Camps During World War II
During World War II, the U.S. government forced many Japanese Americans into special camps. This happened because of Executive Order 9066. Ruby was living in Cincinnati, so she was not sent to a camp. Her sister Toki lived in Hawaii, so she was not interned either.
However, three of Ruby's family members were sent to these camps. Her brother Kimeo was sent to Poston War Relocation Center. Her sister Mary and her father Shiusaku were sent to Minidoka. This place is now called Minidoka National Historic Site.
Death
Ruby Hirose died on October 7, 1960. She was 56 years old. She died from a type of blood cancer called acute myeloid leukemia. She was buried at the Auburn Pioneer Cemetery in Auburn, Washington. Her sisters Mary and Toki, and her brother Kimeo, survived her.
See also
In Spanish: Ruby Hirose para niños
