Dr. Russell S. Gideon,33 o & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, NJ, PHA, USA, inc. of the United Supreme Council Massachusetts School of Pharmacy after the closing of the Patrick School. While studying and working, he extended his contributions to Phi Beta Sigma.
In 1938, Russell was appointed Director of Bigger and Better Business Program of Phi Beta Sigma. The program promoted negro businesses locally and nationally and encouraged colleges to provide business courses for its students. In this role, he extended relationships with the National Negro Business League (NNBL) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and reported significant strides. In the Fall 1938 edition of The Crescent , he
reported “the Houston Negro Chamber of Commerce does show a deep appreciation for our interest and aid in that (NNBL) program”. Similar reports were presented from efforts in Richmond, Virginia; Nashville, Tennessee; Buffalo, New York; and with the Greater Boston Negro Trade Association. Greater strides were reported in 1939. In 1941,
the fraternity became a permanent NNBL member and, after his graduation from Pharmacy School, Russell moved into leadership roles in both the NNBL and NAACP. With the love and support of his wife, the Gideons, then, placed a professional focus on entrepreneurism in the field of Pharmacy. However, the outbreak of World War Two briefly placed plans on hold.
Like many other men of Phi Beta Sigma, Russell enlisted in the United States Army in 1942. With a specific skill set in pharmaceutical sciences, he was ranked a technical sergeant in the 366 th Infantry Medical Corps based out of Ft. Devens, Massachusetts. He led the Pharmacy Corps on combat tours in North Africa and Italy. His wife, Lillian, also served the American Red Cross in England during the war through its end. After honorable discharge in 1945, the Gideons returned to Boston. With fond memories of the Pacific Northwest from a past visit and, also, sad memories of lost Sigma brothers from the war, the Gideons relocated to Washington in 1946 solidifying themselves as activists, entrepreneurs and the premier, social and civic leaders in the area.
The Gideons leased purchased a drug store on East Madison Street between 21 st and 22 nd Avenues in Seattle, Washington in 1946 and purchased it in 1947. Gideon’s Pharmacy and Soda Fountain became the first black-owned Pharmacy in Seattle. Russell held membership in the
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