Born in 1918 to Neil and Pearl Freeman in Liberty Texas, Ruth Loretta Freeman-Bush entered Prairie View State Normal and Industrial College in 1934. While at Prairie View, she played on the women’s basketball team and was a state champion debater. She graduated in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education.
After teaching for a few years in her hometown at Liberty High School, she received a special invitation from President W.R. Banks to return to Prairie View. President Banks wanted to nominate her to apply for the Women’s Army Corps (WAAC). Freeman-Bush accepted the nomination and was subsequently admitted into the Officers Training School for WAACs. Not long after being commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in 1942, she was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1943. In 1946, at the first convention of the United Negro and Allied Veterans of America convention in Chicago, she was selected as one of the seven vice commanders, receiving the highest number of votes casted.
Though she lived a short life, she lived a productive life highlighted by the many commendations she received. She was honored by the YMCA of Chicago for her service as a military recruiting officer. The National Negro Museum and Historical Foundation, Inc. recognized her for her “courage and devotion to the ideal upon which American Democracy was founded.” The Governor of Illinois, Dwight H. Green, recognized her meritorious service to “enlist women for the Army General Hospital duties in the United States Army…” She, along with Eleanor Roosevelt, was recognized by the NAACP Youth Council of Chicago as one of the ten most “outstanding American.”
She married Ernest Bush in Chicago in 1947. Mr. Bush tragically passed away in 1950.
References
“4000 Women Aspire to be Officers in WAAC.” n.d.
Banks, W R. “Prairie View State Normal and Industrial College .” Instructions in disposing of applications, May 30, 1942: 1.
Billiken, Bud. “The Chicago Defender Charites, Inc .” Aug 22, 1945.
Biographical Sketch. “Ruth Loretta Freeman- Bush .” n.d.: 2.
Chicago Defender . “Wac Captain to be Honored at YMCA Party .” Dec 25, 1943.
“For Outstanding Work .” Chicago Defender , 1947: 1.
“Wants Full Equality for Women Veterans .” Journal and Guide , 1946.