Ruth Messinger

Ruth Messinger is an American social justice activist and former politician, widely recognized for her leadership in humanitarian efforts and progressive politics. She served as the Manhattan Borough President and was the first woman to secure the Democratic nomination for Mayor of New York City. Since 1998, she has served as the president and later global ambassador of American Jewish World Service, mobilizing the American Jewish community to support human rights and sustainable development worldwide.

Early life and education

Born in New York City to a family engaged in civic life, she was raised with a strong sense of social responsibility. She attended the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, an institution known for its progressive educational philosophy. For her higher education, she earned a bachelor's degree from Radcliffe College, then part of Harvard University. She later completed a master's degree in social work at the University of Oklahoma, which grounded her in the principles of community organization and public service.

Political career

Her political career began with her election to the New York City Council in 1977, representing the Upper West Side. In 1990, she was elected as the Manhattan Borough President, a position where she advocated for affordable housing, public education, and environmental policies. In 1997, she won the Democratic primary for Mayor of New York City, becoming the first woman to do so, though she ultimately lost the general election to incumbent Rudolph Giuliani. Throughout her tenure in New York City government, she was known for her advocacy on issues such as HIV/AIDS funding, homelessness, and police reform.

Post-political work and activism

Following her electoral campaign, she assumed the presidency of American Jewish World Service in 1998, transforming it into a leading organization in the fight against global poverty and injustice. Under her leadership, AJWS significantly expanded its grantmaking to grassroots groups in countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. She has been a vocal advocate for international human rights, focusing on women's rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of indigenous peoples. She has also served on numerous boards, including those of the Jewish Funders Network and the NGO Committee on UNICEF.

Personal life

She is married to Andrew Lachman, an educator and nonprofit executive. She has three children from a previous marriage and several grandchildren. Her family life has been deeply intertwined with her public commitment to social justice, often discussing the influence of Jewish values on her work. She resides in Manhattan and remains an active member of her local community and Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, a synagogue known for its social activism.

Awards and recognition

Her decades of service have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award from the Union for Reform Judaism. She has received honorary doctorates from institutions such as the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. In 2013, she was named one of the "Forward 50" most influential American Jews by *The Forward* newspaper. Her work continues to be cited in publications like The New York Times and speeches at forums like the United Nations.

Category:American activists Category:American Jewish World Service people Category:Manhattan borough presidents Category:1940 births Category:Living people