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.
After 47 years, she has been recognized as the First African American woman bus driver for Gardena’s Municipal Bus Lines by Councilmember Paulette Horton, City of Gardena. Certificates were given by Assemblyman Mike Gipson, Assemblywoman Autumn Burke, State Senator Steven Bradford, and Councilwoman Paulette of Gardena.
