The University of Hawaii at Mānoa honored Alice Augusta Ball with a bronze statue. She is the first woman and African American to graduate from UH Mānoa (and the first in the U.S.) with a master’s degree in chemistry in 1915.

The unveiling of the bust took place last Friday at the Hamilton Library Annex at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, according to a news release. 

At age 23, Ball discovered an injectable form of oil from the Chaulmoogra tree, which was the most effective treatment for Hansen’s disease (leprosy) in the first half of the 20th century. She died a year later, but her legacy is now globally recognized. In 2007, the UH Board of Regents posthumously awarded Alice Ball their Medal of Distinction. She was also the university’s first female chemistry professor. 

Artist Lynn Liverton created the bust, saying “it was one of my favorite busts to work on.” 

“I’m just so grateful that she finally got her due. I wish that she was around. Hopefully, her spirit is here, understanding what is happening and that she’s being honored,” said Liverton. 

The UH Foundation’s Special Projects Fund, established by UH President David Lassner, funded the creation of the bust.