“ I love people, and I work both in education and politics to help others fulfill their life’s goals of becoming better people, and living more successful and productive lives. Representative Gaines ” C larke University, located in Dubuque, Iowa, presented their Humanitarian Service Award to Iowa State Repeseanative Ruth Ann Gaines, which acknowledges exceptional service to humanity through civic, faith-based or educational endeavors. The following includes excerpts taken from Clarke University’s announcement. Representative Gaines graduated from Clarke University in 1969, and matriculated at the University of California, where she earned a Master of Arts (Dramatic Art). She has experienced a career of more than 50 years as an educator, community servant, and state legislator. She taught drama at Des Moines East High School and Des Moines Area Community College, and later worked at the Heartland Area Education Agency, Drake University, and Viterbo University. She was also featured as a radio and television talk show host with WHO in Des Moines. Her work connected her to a large number of individuals, families, and organizations which inspired her to run for public office. She was first elected to the Iowa House in 2010. Since then, she has led several committees and initiatives, including the Des Moines Human Rights Commission, Very Special Arts Iowa, and currently serves as Chair of the Black Legislative Caucus in the Iowa Legislature. Representative Gaines has received more than 50 honors, including the Iowa Teacher of the Year, a finalist for National Teacher of the Year, the Iowa and National Teachers’ Halls of Fame, Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame, Iowa African American Hall of Fame, Wallace Foundation Lifelong Learning Hall of Fame, 2022 Sister for Success Founders Award, Hoover Foundation’s Uncommon Public Service Award, Iowa Democratic Party’s “We the People” Award, and the Progress Iowa’s Harkin Award. Additionally, she received the Key to the City of Des Moines from Mayor Preston Daniels in 1983, and East High School recently named their renovated and expanded auditorium in her honor. Regarding her accomplishments, Representative Gaines has said, “I love people, and I work both in education and politics to help others fulfill their life’s goals of becoming better people, and living more successful and productive lives.” 25
26 Publizr Home