Ruby West (1916 - 1971)
Ruby West Biography
Vital facts & highlights of Ruby's life to share with the world.
Ethnicity & Lineage
Nationality & Locations Lived
Religion
Education
Professions
Personal Life & Organizations
Military Service
Average Age
Life Expectancy
View other bios of people named Ruby West
Ruby's Family Photos
We currently do not have photos of Ruby West. Below are potential family photos that share Ruby's last name or surname. Pictures really do say a thousand words. Add photos of Ruby during various points of her life
Ruby West Obituary
Show you care by clicking the heart and adding to Ruby's obituary.
1916 - 1971 World Events
Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Ruby's lifetime
In 1916, in the year that Ruby West was born, visiting nurse Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the U.S. at 46 Amboy St. in Brooklyn New York. Ten days after the clinic opened, Sanger was arrested for "violating laws against giving out birth control information" which was defined as obscenity. The clinic was not handing out birth control - just information about sex and birth control methods. (The Comstock law categorized information about abortion, family planning, and contraception as “obscene”.) The clinics and organizations that Sanger established later evolved into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
In 1924, at the age of merely 8 years old, Ruby was alive when on January 21st, Vladimir Lenin, a leader of the Russian Revolution and the first leader of the Soviet Union died. He had survived two assassination attempts but had subsequent physical problems, suffering 3 strokes. He was in such great pain, it is said that he asked Stalin to poison him. The circumstances of his death are still disputed. He did oppose Stalin as the next leader - nonetheless, Stalin won a power struggle and ruled as a Soviet dictator until his death in 1953.
In 1939, Ruby was 23 years old when on the 1st of September, Nazi Germany invaded Poland. On September 17th, the Soviet Union invaded Poland as well. Poland expected help from France and the United Kingdom, since they had a pact with both. But no help came. By October 6th, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany held full control of the previously Polish lands. Eventually, the invasion of Poland lead to World War II.
In 1943, at the age of 27 years old, Ruby was alive when on June 20th through June 22nd, the Detroit Race Riot erupted at Belle Isle Park. The rioting spread throughout the city (made worse by false rumors of attacks on blacks and whites) and resulted in the deployment of 6,000 Federal troops. 34 people were killed, (25 of them black) - mostly by white police or National Guardsmen, 433 were wounded (75 percent of them black) and an estimated $2 million of property was destroyed. The same summer, there were riots in Beaumont, Texas and Harlem, New York.
In 1971, in the year of Ruby West's passing, in March, Congress passed the Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which lowered the voting age to 18 (from 21). It was a response to the criticism that men could fight at 18, but not vote for the policies and politicians who sent them to war. The states quickly ratified the Amendment and it was signed into law on July 1st by President Richard Nixon.
Other Ruby Wests
Other Wests
Other Bios
These stories will warm your heart and inspire you to share your memories of the people important to you.