Advocate For Her Community

Ruth was born on March 21, 1894 in Akron, Ohio, to a prominent local family. At the age of four an accident left Ruth blind. This did not dampen her spirit; she was known as a local tomboy for climbing higher in trees than her two brothers. The local schools refused to admit her, but her family was able to afford to send her to the Ohio State School for the Blind and later to the Perkins Institute. Known for having an active social life, her mother once lamented that she couldn’t keep her daughter home. Dancing and traveling were some of Ruth’s favorite hobbies. As an adult, she first worked for a local Akron attorney, then for the Akron Lions Club. During WWI, she knitted 28 sweaters for soldiers, placing a card with her name and address in each one.

After many years of Delta Gammas wanting a Fraternity-wide philanthropy, at the 1936 Convention, it became a reality. Several ideas were put forward, but it was Ruth’s idea that Delta Gamma serve the blind and low-vision community that took hold. Originally called Sight Conservation and Aid to the Blind, it was later changed to Service for Sight.

She was involved in multiple organizations that support the blind and low-vision community and numerous social clubs. These included the Summit County Society for the Blind, the State Welfare Association for the Sightless, the Monthly Welfare Association of Akron, the Church of Our Saviour St. Mary’s Guild, Atwater Guild, Iolani Study Club, Women’s City Club and Friday Bridge Club. She passed away at the age of 58 on February 13, 1953.