*Ruth Woodruff Hines

Ruth Woodruff Hines was born October 21, 1893, in Champaign, Illinois, the daughter of Benjamin J. and Mary E. Woodruff. She had a sister, Caroline, and a brother, Arthur. She attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Champaign, Illinois and then went on to attend the University of Illinois.

She was married to Ray E. Hines on November 2, 1920 in Champaign, Illinois, and to this union was born nine children: four boys and five girls.

Mrs. Hines opened her doors to house the African American students who enrolled in the University of Illinois in the early 1920s. It filled an urgent need for the students, since there was no place for them to live on or near Campus. This legacy continued on for many years. She and Mr. Hines also served as Patron and Patroness for many social affairs given by and for the students.

Mts. Hines was a lifetime member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, singing in the Senior Choir. She was also a member of the Willing Workers Club, former president of the Robert Earnest American Legion Post #559, the University of Illinois Alumni Association, the Champaign-Urbana Senior Citizen's Organization, Deborah Chapter #27, Order of Eastern Star, and Parents Council of Sharps and Flats Music Club, an affiliate of the National Association of Negro Musicians and the Park Street Block Club. She was also Charter Member of the Champaign County Section of the N.C.N.W.

Ruth Woodruff Hines died in September of 1982 in Champaign, Illinois.

An * next to the name within bio denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section of the National Council of Negro Women.