Ruth Scott papers

Collection

Identifier: D.390

Staff Only

Biographical / Historical note

Dr. Ruth Scott was born in Albion, Michigan in 1934. Scott is a Cum Laude graduate of Albion College (1956) and holds a graduate degree in education from Kent State University (1961). Scott has also received two honorary Doctoral Degrees from Alfred University (1997) and Albion College (2000). Scott worked as an English teacher in the Rochester City School District from 1956-1977. Beginning in 1977, Scott served as the first woman of color elected to the Rochester City Council and later, in 1986, as the council’s first African American president.

She is married to William G. Scott, a retired music teacher, and the couple has three children and a number of grandchildren.

Scott has worked with over thirty organizations to help strengthen and improve the city of Rochester and the state of New York. She was a member of the Alfred University Board of Trustees, Board of Directors of the Memorial Art Gallery, the Martin Luther King Commission, and a member of Leadership of America. During her career, Scott was also heavily involved in promoting education and gender and racial equality. Scott encouraged community involvement in education, developed the first African-American based curriculum for students in Cleveland, Ohio, and supported minority and women owned businesses. She also was invested in creating low income housing for the people of Rochester

Scott served on the council for twelve years from 1977-1989 and she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Monroe County Human Relations Council.

After retiring from the Rochester City Council, Scott founded the company, Scott Associates Consulting Inc. The company provides consulting services related to a wide-range of social issues, including low income community housing, education, and community and neighborhood development.

Scope and Contents

The Ruth H. Scott Papers are comprised of three series: Career Materials, Civic Activism, and Personal Papers. The majority of the items in Career Materials document Scott's terms serving on the Rochester City Council, from 1977-1989. A small group of materials in this series includes items from her unsuccessful 1993 campaign for Rochester City Mayor. There are additional materials related to her consulting work for banks, and non-profit companies. Most of the consulting material dates from 1989, when she began Scott Associates Consulting, Inc. The second series, Civic Activism, documents Scott's participation and interest in a variety of community organizations, locally and nationally. This series includes three subseries: Leadership America, Housing and Urban Development, and Education. The materials on education also include consulting work and positions held within the Rochester City School systems, beginning in the 1950s. The final series, Personal Materials, includes family photographs, documents related to Scott's primary, secondary and college education. There are also awards, invitations, and birthday cards from the 1940s-2000s.

Creator

Scott, Ruth Holland (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1940-2009

Language of Materials

English

Extent

44 linear feet (34 Boxes)

Access

The Ruth Scott Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.