Marin Women's Hall of Fame

    Honored for excellence in education, Ruth Sluser has achieved numerous goals throughout her 35-year teaching career. Devoting her career to high-risk youth, Ruth has developed and maintained several social service programs instrumental in helping these 'forgotten youth' succeed in the work force and the game of life. Through her unwavering dedication and compassionate mentoring, Ruth has served as a solid role model for young women and men alike. In addition to her teaching career, Ruth has extended her support by staying in touch with her students and continuing to act as a resource long after her students have graduated.

    Ruth began her career with the intentions of becoming a high school Physical Education teacher. After graduating with a B.S. and M.S. degree from the University of Illinois, Ruth and her husband moved out to California. One year after settling in Riverbank, a tiny town near Modesto, the Slusers moved to Marin. Mr. Sluser accepted a job in the Richmond School District and Ruth began pursuing her teaching career with Tamalpais High School. Initially she was hired as a substitute teacher in the Special Education department. After two years of working in this department she realized she enjoyed working with high-risk youth more than teaching Physical Education. In 1958 Tamalpais High School hired her as a full time faculty member in the Special Education department.

    Once involved with the Special Education department, Ruth was quick to expand her list of services. In addition to working as a full time teacher, Ruth established, designed, and administered several programs for various special needs groups. In 1960 Ruth began the Learning Delayed - Work Experience Program, her first in an impressive series of school-to-work programs. In 1980 Ruth discovered the Office of Employment and Training. Here she found additional support in her quest to help special needs groups succeed. Through this office she ran several programs for the economically disadvantaged and the handicapped. During the summer recess, Ruth stayed involved by developing and maintaining the High-Risk Youth, Summer Program, which ran from 1987 through 1994. Through a full time schedule of extracurricular programs and her teaching position, Ruth has successfully guided many young lives. One of Ruth's students sums up her positive influence with the following comments, "Mrs. Sluser is unbelievable! If she hadn't been in my life, I'd be dealing drugs and probably dead by now. Instead, I have a decent job, and I have self-respect and the respect of my family and friends."

    In 1986 Ruth slightly changed her focus, and began the SOLO program for displaced homemakers and single parents. The majority of this population consisted of young single mothers. Working for ten years, from 1986 until 1996, Ruth helped over 240 women become economically independent. Through SOLO these women were encouraged to finish high school, go to college, and get started on a healthy career path. SOLO also provided support in terms of teaching the young mothers parenting skills and helping with child care costs. The SOLO program was successful in many ways. Many young women developed a strong sense of self worth, which helped them envision and achieve success. As one young student said, "Mrs. Sluser is the first adult who really listened to me and helped me feel I was worth something." SOLO also stopped or slowed the merciless cycle of economic struggles within a family from generation to generation. By helping these young mothers reach their economic potential, SOLO also helped their children.

    In 1994 Ruth extended her support once again and started the Cal Learn program. She developed this program specifically to provide guidance to teenage mothers and pregnant teens who have dropped out of high school and are dependent on welfare. Cal Learn brings these young women back to high school, helps them graduate, enrolls them in vocational training, and assists them with securing a job. One of Ruth's students shows their gratitude with the following quote, "If not for Mrs. Sluser, I would have never graduated from high school."

    Ruth inspires these women through her devotion, concern, and perseverance. She mentors at least a dozen girls at once, and sets up meetings with each one weekly. She arranges parenting classes, nutrition workshops, and transportation. Specifically, one of her colleagues can remember the care and devotion Ruth displayed towards one of her students. Her colleague saw Ruth change one young women's sour attitude in a matter of five minutes. Ruth continued her support the next day by taking the young woman shopping, helping her pick out a professional outfit, and driving her to a job interview. Every day for the next two weeks Ruth communicated with the young woman and her employer to ensure a successful transition to work. Ruth also supports these young women emotionally through counseling sessions, celebrating their successes, and by patiently teaching them how to solve adult problems.

    Considering all of Ruth's achievements, you may wonder where Ruth gets her inspiration, her stamina. It takes a special kind of person to successfully deal with high-risk youth. As one of her colleagues notes, "Neglected and troubled children need understanding, patience, and wisdom. Often displaying anger, frustration, and lack of control, they do not endear themselves easily. What quality keeps a person going back for more, trying ever harder, and never giving up? Must be love." In addition to love, Ruth has empathy for these high-risk students and young mothers. Ruth understands what it feels like to face barriers, especially as a woman and a minority.

    Ruth grew up as a Jewish woman in Chicago during World War II. She was a first generation American, and English was her second language. The whole neighborhood spoke Yiddish, and all of her friends were also first generation Americans. Ruth witnessed the struggle to survive early in life. She saw it in her parents as her mother learned English in night school, and she saw it in her "ghetto neighborhood" where families of ten lived in one-bedroom apartments. Ruth got her first taste of helping others with special needs when she was 16. At this age she started her first job at the nearby Settlement House where she worked with troubled young women. Her experiences as an outsider growing up in the American culture, and as a mentor to the troubled young women at the Settlement House helped her decide her future. The career she chose was to be a voice for minorities, and those of the high-risk variety. This position takes strength and dedication, yet Ruth manages to pull it off naturally.

    Ruth also cites her mother as a very strong influence in her life's path. When Ruth graduated from high school her father wanted her to get a job and help with the war. Ruth's mother, who had always believed in education, disagreed with her father. Her mother turned against the social grain and went back to work so Ruth could attend the University of Illinois. Ruth took full advantage of this opportunity and earned both her B.S. and M.S. degrees. After Ruth got married and had three children of her own, she decided to start her own career. In the late 1950's and early 1960's, women weren't expected to have a job. With the support of a loving husband, and through her mother's example, Ruth set foot at the beginning of an extremely successful and rewarding career.

    In addition to a successful career, Ruth raised a healthy family by following her own formula. As one of her friends notes, "On a personal level, Ruth practices what she preaches. Thirty-five years ago she was juggling a career, a marriage, and three children. She knows first hand, the challenges this juggling act provides." Yet, Ruth modestly reflects most of the credit, and instead praises her extremely supportive husband and her cooperative children.

    Ruth's personal willpower and her family life were tested a few years ago when her husband passed away. Now a widow, Ruth has even more empathy and understanding for the young single mothers she works with. One of her friends notes the devastation of Ruth's loss and her determined will to continue working with the following comment, "As a close personal friend, I know what a tremendous loss this was and what changes it has brought about in her personal life. Yet, I never saw her miss a beat, cancel an appointment, or waver in her passionate enthusiasm for what she does."

    When considering the often difficult nature of high-risk children, you may wonder how Ruth has achieved so much success in this field. Ruth gets positive results when leading by example. As one of her colleagues notes, "Ruth has been a superb role model: Always being on time; working through challenges gracefully and successfully; conducting herself in a professional, compassionate, dignified and honorable manner; and expecting the best of herself as she always does with young women. Ruth was lovingly strict with her students and job trainees, and the result was that they set higher standards for themselves." Ruth has proved through her formula of tough love, guidance, and support that success is achieved through positive mentoring rather than negative reprimanding.

    Ruth's fiery determination and excellent reputation have helped her in many additional ways. Through her reputation and networking skills, she has built up a wide range of contacts over the years. When she started her first school-to-work program in 1960, one of her biggest challenges was finding employers. Nobody wanted to give the time or the chance for Ruth's high-risk students get back on track. To get past resistance, Ruth had to really sell her students and convey their potential. She jokes that she could have been a lot richer if she had gone into sales. She quickly and honestly disputes this statement by adding, "But not spiritually." Ruth eventually broke down barriers, and helped employers understand what an enriching relationship she was offering them. Over time, she encouraged the employer-student relationship by educating the employer. Her frequent visits also helped her establish outstanding credibility and a solid reputation.

    Ruth has overcome various risks in order to thoroughly serve her students. She has gone alone to visit them at home, and has often found herself in dangerous neighborhoods. Yet her stellar reputation has always kept her safe, and in-turn promoted her success. She has also taken risks with her career by dedicating herself to the "forgotten youth." As one of her colleagues points out, "Many people who have worked with the at-risk population eventually suffer burnout from obstacles, the failures, the heartbreak, and the considerable risks." Her colleague commends her with the following comment, "Despite the initial resistance presented by the young people, and despite being alone in dangerous neighborhoods, Ruth persevered. She never let people give up on themselves."

    Ruth's present and former students realize what a fantastic resource she is, and repeatedly call on her for new contacts, career advice, or just to stay in touch. With the same phone number for over 45 years, she is always accessible. She remains a solid rock and a touchstone for both her students and the community. Through her various contacts she can provide assistance regarding any issue that comes her way. Even if she doesn't know the answer, she can always find someone who does.

    Considering the wealthy community of Marin County, it is often hard for people to imagine that a high-risk population exists here. When asked about this issue, Ruth explains that certain people need more support than others, no matter where or how they grew up. She notes that it takes everyone a certain level of confidence to find that first job. Ruth goes on to point out that many students under 18 appear as if they don't need any financial assistance because they are still legally dependent on their parents. Often times the parents don't support their children at all, but Ruth can't help them because they aren't legally independent nor on welfare. These cases are extremely frustrating because they are just out of her reach.

    So how does Ruth inspire the young students she is fortunate enough to help? She stresses it is important to tell young people they are worth something and that they should never give up. She allows some of her stubbornness and perseverance to rub off on her students by telling them to, "Keep going even in the face of rejection." Ruth believes it is never too late to build up self-esteem, and that when confidence is presented in an interview employers can sense it. She coaches her students to be positive about themselves, and to avoid displaying fear because it has an obvious aura surrounding it. Ruth understands how hard these personal tasks can be, and as she puts it, "I have nothing but respect for people in continuing education."

    When asked if she would encourage people to go into teaching today she doesn't answer right away. First she pauses, thinks about the question, and then answers with, "You have to love kids." She comments that it is a wonderful choice, but that people should volunteer first to see if they like it. Ruth is very aware of how much work and dedication teaching can be. She is also aware that this profession isn't right for everyone. Ruth confirms that she made the right career choice for herself by saying, "I am grateful for my life and my job. I have found plenty of enjoyment and satisfaction."

    For the future Ruth hopes the best for her students. She wants to see the young women in Cal Learn take themselves off welfare and become independent. She encourages them to move forward and get more skills or schooling. Ruth also reminds the young women to take care of their children and families. Hopefully Ruth's special brand of job and life skills will remain with her students for a very long time.

    Although Ruth has retired from teaching, her influence has inspired one of the schools she worked for to create an entire series of women's studies. This series was important for both young women and men. In addition to learning about women's contributions to society, the students were also introduced to major social issues. Some of these included gender equity, domestic violence, and affirmative action. Ruth continues to stay involved by administering Cal Learn, and by keeping the door open for all of her previous students. As one of her colleagues notes, "Her wisdom, strength, compassion, and proactive ways of making a concrete difference in young people's lives continue to contribute to those young people and to society as a whole." I think we can all thank Ruth Sluser for her dedication in making this world a better place.