Ruby is the Chief Child and Youth Programs Officer at the YWCA York. She’s passionate about educating children in the under-served community and strives to give children in urban areas the same teaching methods and opportunities as those in other communities.
Who has been your biggest influence?
I believe it takes a village! There are so many supportive and powerful women who have filled into me during my lifetime. I have had such amazing women leaders as supervisors, and knowledgeable and supportive professors and co-workers and employees who have taught me so much, far too many to mention. I have learned so much from Educators and even educational philosophies. I think of my mother who impacted my passion for womanhood without even trying by exposing me to “Free to be You and Me” and Bionic Women and Wonder Women and Helen Reddy! And my own children who I learn from every day of my life for the last 25 years.
What motivated you to be involved in your community?
I’ll go right back to it taking a village. I live in the community where I work and it is so important to me to build strong and resilient children who will value their relationships with that community. I am committed to leading by example and making sure I participate in leaving a strong and vibrant community to the next generation.
What advice would you give your younger self?
As a motivated hard worker, I never remember a time in my 30 years of professional life where I didn’t work all the time. I would tell myself to breathe more, enjoy my children more and practice gratefulness every single day.
What’s your idea of self care?
A night in my backyard with my powerful, amazing friends, listening to music and painting by a fire, enjoying some wine and grilled meat and veggies!
What message do you have for the future generations of women?
Listen and practice gratefulness. This life goes so fast, take nothing for granted.
Lastly, speed round!
(I am a gemini, this was epically hard for me because MOOD dependent!)
Heels or Flats? Flats
Pancakes or Waffles? Avoiding sugar, but my grandma's pancakes from scratch!
Day or Night? Night
Books or Movies? Movies
Rain or Sunshine? Sunshine
