In the annals of scientific history, some stories remain hidden gems, waiting to be discovered and celebrated. The tale of Alice Augusta Ball is one such narrative that exemplifies how intersectionality in science not only breaks barriers but also paves the way for groundbreaking innovations that impact sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
You will undoubtedly have heard of Marie Curie and Florence Nightingale, but you probably won't have heard of Alice Augusta Ball. Yet, these three women have something in common, namely that they appear on the frieze of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.[1]
Despite her significant contributions to medicine, Ball's work went largely unrecognized during her lifetime and for decades afterward; however, recent efforts have begun to restore her legacy and honor her achievements.
Living at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities - being both African American and a woman in the early 20th century - Ball faced numerous obstacles. However, it was perhaps these very challenges that fostered her unique perspective and approach to scientific problems.
From Seattle to Hawaii to Seattle
Alice Augusta Ball was born on July 24, 1892, in Seattle, Washington, to a well-off family with a rich history in photography and law. At the age of ten, her family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, in hopes that the mild climate might have a positive influence on her grandfather's arthritis. However, after only a year, they returned back to Seattle following his death.
Ball excelled academically, graduating from Seattle High School in 1910 before attending the University of Washington, where she earned two degrees in pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacy by 1914.[2]
Discovering the cure for leprosy
She later pursued graduate studies at the College of Hawaii (now the University of Hawaii), becoming the first African American woman to earn a Master of Science degree in chemistry there in 1915 from the University of Hawaii, but also the university's first female chemistry professor.
Yet, her greatest contribution to science and humanity came from her groundbreaking work on developing an effective treatment for Hansen's disease (leprosy).
Her master’s studies were focused on isolating the active principle of the Kava plant, a plant native to the pacific islands where it is consumed for its sedating, anaesthetic, and euphoriant effects.
While working on this project she caught the attention of Dr. Harry Hollmann, a medical doctor in charge of the Hawaii Hospital's leprosy department.
At that time, leprosy was a feared disease, believed to be highly contagious, and those diagnosed were often isolated in colonies, where they were expected to die. Sending the sick ones to isolated colonies was to prevent its spread.[3]
We now know casual contact does not spread the disease.
The best-known treatment for leprosy (aka Hansen's disease) at the time was the application of chaulmoogra oil on the affected skin area.
Chaulmoogra oil is a substance well known in Chinese and Indian medicine, a very viscous and extremely bitter substance that was traditionally used for skin diseases.
It is obtained from Hydnocarpus wightianus, a semi-deciduous tree.
As the oil seemed to have a beneficial effect when applied externally, it was thought that internal application would yield promising results.
However, the oil was too viscous to be injected and too bitter to be swallowed.
Recognizing the limitations of chaulmoogra oil, Ball set out to improve its application. She successfully isolated and chemically modified ester compounds from the oil, creating a form that could be injected into patients. This new method not only made the treatment easier to administer but also significantly improved its effectiveness.
This resulted in a cure that was effective in about half the cases, which may seem meager by today's standards but was definitely a step in the right direction in the 1910s - 1920s.
While it might seem modest by today’s standards, her work provided relief for many leprosy patients and was used for over 30 years until more effective treatments were developed.
Ball's groundbreaking achievements laid the foundation for future medical advancements.
The credit of these discoveries was taken from her
Alice augusta Ball's significant contributions to science remained largely unrecognized for many years due to a combination of unfortunate circumstances and social biases.
After developing the effective injectable treatment for leprosy, she tragically died after an accident in the lab involving chlorine gas in 1916. She was 24 years old. That was before she could publish her findings.
This lack of publication meant that her groundbreaking work was not attributed to her, and shortly after her death, Arthur L. Dean, who was the president of the University of Hawaii and aware of her research, claimed her findings as his own, naming the method after himself.
Dean took her research and started to produce it under his own name. He called the treatment the "Dean Method," effectively erasing Ball's important contribution from the scientific record. This misattribution was a major mistake, as Ball had not only created the method but had also successfully used it in clinical.[4]
The societal context of the time also played a role in her obscurity.
As a Black woman in a predominantly white male field, Ball faced systemic barriers that contributed to her being overlooked.
It wasn't until several decades later that her contributions were acknowledged.
Dr. Harry Hollmann later rectified Dean's misappropriation of Alice Ball's findings. In 1922 he published an article in the Archives of Dermatology and Syphilology, naming the method the 'Ball method', the name by which it has come to be known ever since.
But it took until the 1970s for historians at the University of Hawaii to fully uncover and promote her legacy. Nearly 90 years for formal honors and acknowledgments to be attributed to her, including a dedicated day in her name and a scholarship established in her honor.
Innovation through diverse perspectives
Ball's work demonstrates how diversity in scientific thought and approach can lead to innovative solutions. Her method of treating Hansen's disease, known as the "Ball Method," remained the most effective treatment for the condition for several decades. This breakthrough had far-reaching implications:
Social Sustainability: The treatment allowed patients to return to their communities, reducing stigma and social isolation associated with the disease.
Economic Impact: By enabling affected individuals to reintegrate into society and the workforce, the treatment had significant economic benefits for both individuals and communities.
Environmental Considerations: Ball's extraction technique, which isolated the active compounds from chaulmoogra oil, was both efficient and sustainable, minimizing waste in the production process.
The Ripple Effect of Inclusive Science
When we embrace intersectionality in science, we unlock potential that might otherwise remain dormant. Ball's story teaches us that:
Innovation thrives on diversity: Different perspectives lead to novel approaches to problem-solving.
Sustainability is multifaceted: True sustainability encompasses social justice, economic viability, and environmental consciousness.
Representation matters: Seeing diverse scientists can inspire future generations to pursue scientific careers.
Moving Forward
As we stand on the shoulders of pioneers like Alice Augusta Ball, we must ask ourselves:
What innovations might we be missing out on by not embracing intersectionality in science?
How many potential solutions to our sustainability challenges remain undiscovered because voices go unheard?
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The story of Alice Augusta Ball is not just a history lesson; it's a call to action.
As we face unprecedented global challenges, from climate change to social inequality, we need the perspectives and talents of people from all backgrounds.
By embracing intersectionality in science, we not only honor the legacy of pioneers like Ball but also unlock the potential for innovations that can create a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for all.
This article is part of a series exploring the importance of intersectionalty in science for innovation and sustainability.
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