Episode 366: Hoes of History: Alice Augusta Ball

Alice Ball was a chemical prodigy, the first woman and first Black person to earn a master's degree from the University of Hawaiʻi, and the mind behind what became known as the "Ball Method." Despite her groundbreaking discovery, credit was taken by others after her untimely death, and her contribution was erased from textbooks for decades. In the early 20th century, leprosy (Hansen's disease) carried not only devastating physical effects but also deep social stigma, forced isolation, and exile. While others had failed to find an effective treatment, a brilliant young chemist named Alice Ball succeeded—developing the first viable therapy that dramatically improved patients' lives. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]