Barbara Ransby (born May 12, 1957) is a writer, historian, professor, and activist.
She attended Columbia University, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1984, and completed her master's degree and PhD from the University of Michigan.
Ransby is a professor of African-American studies and Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago.Ransby was elected president of the National Women's Studies Association for a two-year term, which began in November 2016.
She is a supporter of the Movement for Black Lives.