Black History: Ruby Kimbrew
Published February 25, 2021
Ruby Kimbrew is originally from Chicago, Ill and married Bertram Kimbrew, Sr. Before she was married she was a chorus girl and did a little modeling. After having five children, she had two ambitions: drive a bus and fly a plane. Due to the economic situation, she applied for a job at Gardena’s Municipal Bus Lines and was hired – the first African American woman. During this time, she and her family lived in the newly annexed portion of Carson that was formerly Gardena. Her children at the time: Brenda 24, Basil 21, Byron 19, Anna 15, and Kim 13. Ruby continued herself as a “Gardenia” even after the change of the city. As an adventurer at heart and 48-years-old, she was excited to go forward. She was interviewed and featured in the local newspaper Thursday, July 25, 1974, along with her best friend, Carol Gilles; the first two women to drive buses with Gardena’s Municipal Bus Lines.