Ruth Bailey Earl – An in Depth Look at Her Story Exhibit (March 22-April 29)
Ruth Bailey Earl (1919-2004), a native of Hattiesburg, served as a U.S. Army Nurse Corp. officer from 1941 – 1946. Earl attended Eureka High School and graduated Salutatorian of her senior class in 1936. After graduation, Earl went to nursing school in Dothan, AL and became a Registered Nurse. She then worked at Flint Goodrich Hospital in New Orleans and for Hattiesburg’s then segregated Health Department before becoming Hattiesburg’s first African American female U.S. Army enlistee during WWII. She is the inspiration behind the African American Military History’s Museum logo. Featuring never before seen images as well as stories, this special exhibit will showcase Earl’s commitment to her education, dedication to earning her Registered Nurse degree and her service in the U.S. Army.
The exhibit is free and open to the public. It can be seen during normal museum hours, Wednesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays, Noon-4 p.m.