Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin

Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin (1842–1924) was an African-American journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist who became a pioneering voice for Black women's empowerment and racial justice. Born in Boston to a mixed-race family of relative privilege, Ruffin leveraged her education and social position to advocate for those facing racial and gender discrimination. In 1890, she founded the Boston Advocate, the first newspaper published by and for African-American women, giving voice to Black women's experiences and concerns at a time when they were marginalized by both mainstream media and male-dominated Black newspapers. She also founded and led the Woman's Era, another important publication promoting Black women's activism and intellectual contributions. Beyond journalism, Ruffin was instrumental in organizing the National Federation of Afro-American Women and the National Association of Colored Women, becoming a crucial figure in Black women's club movements. She fearlessly confronted racism and sexism, challenging discriminatory practices at women's suffrage conventions and demanding that Black women's voices be centered in reform movements. Ruffin's legacy encompasses journalism innovation, organizational leadership, and her steadfast commitment to intersectional activism before the term existed.