Ruby Dee

Hello! My name is Ruby Dee. I was born a long, long time ago, on October 27th, 1922. When I was a little girl, I lived in a busy, exciting place called Harlem, in New York City. I loved to read books and poems. My favorite thing to do was play pretend! I would imagine I was all sorts of different people and act out their stories for my family and friends.

When I grew up, I became an actress. That’s a person who tells stories by acting on a big stage or in the movies. It was like playing pretend, but for my job! In 1959, I got to be in a very special play called 'A Raisin in the Sun' about a family with a big dream. I also loved working with my husband, Ossie Davis. He was my best friend, and we told many important stories together.

Besides telling stories, I wanted to help make the world a kinder place. I believed that everyone should be treated with fairness and love, no matter what they look like or where they come from. So, I used my voice to speak up for people and to share ideas about being good to one another. It was important to me to help in any way I could.

I lived to be 91 years old, and my life came to a gentle close in the year 2014. Today, people remember me for the stories I told on stage and in movies, and for always trying to make the world a more fair and loving home for everyone. It makes me happy to know that stories and kindness can live on forever.