Ruth Messinger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruth Messinger
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Messinger in 2012
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| 24th Borough President of Manhattan | |
| In office January 1, 1990 – December 31, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | David Dinkins |
| Succeeded by | C. Virginia Fields |
| Member of the New York City Council for the 4th district | |
| In office January 1, 1978 – December 31, 1988 |
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| Preceded by | Henry T. Berger |
| Succeeded by | Ronnie Eldridge |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 6, 1940 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic Socialists of America |
| Spouse | Andrew Lachman |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) University of Oklahoma (MSW) |
Ruth Wyler Messinger, born on November 6, 1940, is an important American political leader from New York City. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In 1997, she was the Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City. She ran against the mayor at the time, Rudy Giuliani, but did not win.
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About Ruth Messinger
Her Early Life and Education
Ruth Messinger grew up in New York City. She went to the Brearley School. She graduated from Radcliffe College of Harvard University in 1962. Later, she earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1964. Ruth Messinger is married to Andrew Lachman and has three children.
Her Political Career
Ruth Messinger was involved in politics for many years. From 1978 to 1989, she was a member of the New York City Council. She represented the Upper West Side area of Manhattan. While on the City Council, she worked on ideas to help people afford their homes.
From 1990 to 1998, she served as the Borough President of Manhattan. This is an important job that helps lead one of New York City's main areas. In 1997, she decided to run for Mayor of New York City. She was the first woman from the Democratic Party to run for this top job in the city.
Ruth Messinger was known for supporting public schools. She also worked to find solutions that pleased both building developers and people living in neighborhoods. During her 1997 campaign for mayor, she received more than 500,000 votes.
In 2005, she supported Fernando Ferrer when he ran for mayor. He had also run against her briefly in 1997 before supporting her campaign.
After Politics
After her time in elected office, Ruth Messinger became the President and CEO of American Jewish World Service. This is a group that helps people around the world. She held this role from 1998 until 2016. After that, she continued to work with the organization as an Ambassador.
In 2005, a Jewish newspaper called The Forward named her one of the most influential American Jews. She was also named to their "Forward Fifty" list again in 2015.
Today, Ruth Messinger works as a Social Justice Fellow at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. She is also a Social Justice Activist-in-Residence at the JCC of Manhattan. In 2020, she helped with the team for Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.
See also
- 1997 New York City mayoral election
