Ruby Blackburn (1901-1982) was born in July, 1901 in Rockdale, Georgia. She was educated at Washington High Evening School in Atlanta, GA; Morris Brown College; and the Apex Beauty College.

Mrs. Blackburn's principal line of business was as a beautician. She owned a beauty shop on Simpson Road in northwest Atlanta. Records from Ruby's Beauty Shop exist in the collection. She also was very active in community and civic affairs. She organized the T.I.C. (To Improve Conditions) Club; the Atlanta Cultural League and Training Center for training of domestic workers; and the Georgia League of Negro Women Voters. A great portion of the collection contains information on her activities in these organizations: constitutions and by-laws; financial records; correspondence; event programs; invitations. Mrs. Blackburn was also a member of the Atlanta Business and Trade Association (founded in 1944) and was Vice-President and Assistant Chaplain of the Atlanta Business League, an organization to further the commercial and professional interests of Negroes in the 1950's. Mrs. Blackburn was instrumental in helping to improve bus transportation in the Dixie Hills community in the 1950's through the Dixie Hills Community Club and the League of Negro Women Voters. Mrs. Blackburn was a member of the Fulton County Democratic Party Executive Committee beginning in 1958. She was active in the NAACP and convention programs are available in the collection.

Mrs. Ruby Blackburn was married to Andrew J. Blackburn whom she divorced in the mid-1959's. They had 4 children: Andrew J. Blackburn, Jr.; Frances Blackburn Fouch; Henry J. Blackburn; and Georgia Blackburn Jones.

Ruby Georgia Parks Blackburn (1901-1982), beautician and community activist, organized the T.I.C. (To Improve Conditions) Club (1932), the Atlanta Cultural League and Training Center (1945), and the Georgia League of Negro Women Voters (1951), resided in Fulton County, Georgia.