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 November 6, 1940) is an important political leader from New York City. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She ran for Mayor of New York City in 1997 but did not win.
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Ruth Messinger's Life and Work
Early Life and Education
Ruth Messinger was born and grew up in New York City. She went to the Brearley School. She later studied at Radcliffe College of Harvard University, graduating in 1962. She also earned a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma in 1964. She is married to Andrew Lachman and has three children.
Her Political Career
Ruth Messinger served on the New York City Council from 1978 to 1989. She represented the Upper West Side area of Manhattan. In the City Council, she worked on ideas to help people with their housing.
From 1990 to 1998, she was the Borough President of Manhattan. This is a leader who helps manage a large part of New York City. She left this job to run for mayor in 1997. She was the first woman from the Democratic Party to run for mayor of New York City.
Ruth Messinger is known for supporting public schools. She also worked to find solutions between building companies and people living in neighborhoods. She believes in a woman's right to choose and is against the death penalty. In the 1997 election, she received over 500,000 votes.
After Politics
From 1998 to 2016, Ruth Messinger was the President and CEO of American Jewish World Service. This is an organization that helps people around the world. After that, she became an Ambassador for the same group.
In 2005, a Jewish newspaper called The Forward named her one of the most important American Jews. She also serves on the board of Hazon and is a trustee for the Jewish Foundation for Education of Women.
Ruth Messinger continues to work for social justice. She is a Social Justice Fellow at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. She is also an Activist-in-Residence at the JCC of Manhattan. In 2020, she helped with the team for the new Queens Borough President, Donovan Richards.
