Tributes to Ruth Messinger

Admirers pay tribute to Ruth Messinger, AJWS’s former President, its first Global Ambassador and a truly extraordinary leader.

"[Ruth] has always been a voice for the most marginalized, whether they lived down the street or around the world."

William Jefferson Clinton

42nd President of the United States

“Ruth has always made it a point to care, even when she was one of the only ones.”

The New York Times

"Ruth Messinger has been building a better future for all of New York City's children."

Al Gore

45th Vice President of the United States

“We need more people like Ruth. She’s in my pantheon, my very small pantheon, of iconic women.”

Mia Farrow

Actress and activist

"The history of the West African women's peacebuilding movement can never be written without mentioning the name Ruth Messinger."

Leymah Gbowee

Winner, Nobel Peace Prize
Director, Women Peace and Security Network Africa

“Ruth’s contributions to AJWS and her unwavering dedication, passion and leadership cannot be overstated. She leaves a legacy of accomplishments for human rights and dignity around the world.”

Kathleen Levin

AJWS Board Chair

More stories from the Ruth Messinger collection

Ruth Messinger with Jesse Jackson

Ruth Messinger on Civil Rights

As is true for many in my generation, the civil rights movement was a formative part of my Jewish and American identities.

Ruth Messinger Through the Years

Here's a look back at Ruth's four decades in the public eye.
Ruth Messinger on Disaster Relief

Ruth Messinger on Disaster Relief

“Who is wise? One who learns from all people.” So teaches a passage in Pirkei Avot, an ancient collection of Jewish texts.
Ruth on the Holocaust and Human Rights

Ruth Messinger on the Holocaust and Human Rights

I do this work—proudly—as a Jew, for Jewish reasons, with a Jewish vision for repairing the world.
See all of the stories in the Ruth Messinger collection