| Ruth Ann Gaines was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1947. She was educated in the parochial school system. She received a BA degree in Drama/Speech in 1969 from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, and a M.A. in Dramatic Art from the University of California in Santa Barbara in 1970. She did additional studies at Drake and the University of Iowa. She taught drama at East High School for 40 years and has taught Speech and Drama at Des Moines Area Community College since 1971. She has developed and taught diversity courses to teachers since 1979 at the Heartland Area Education Agency in Johnston Iowa, and most recently at Viterbo University Iowa Center in West Des Moines. She was Iowa Teacher of the Year in 1998-1999. She is recognized as a national diversity trainer for colleges and universities, businesses, corporations, and churches.
Ruth Ann has served on numerous boards and commissions throughout the years. She was appointed to the State Foster Care Review Board by Governor Tom Vilsack in 2000 and appointed to the Iowa Arts Council where she was appointed by Governor Chet Culver in 2009. She was a Des Moines Human Rights Commissioner from 2004 -2011and reinstated Friends of Des Moines Human Rights Committee in 2010
Among the many initiatives she created for the Des Moines Public Schools is Sisters for Success, a mentorship program for African-American and African middle- and high-school girls. This program has been used as a model for other similar programs in schools throughout the state. Currently, the program has been incorporated into DMACC at Ankeny.
Ruth Ann is also well known for her acting and directing endeavors. Among her many roles, she played "Rosa Parks". In 2009, she directed a 32-episode radio drama that was a part of the Iowa Initiative to prevent unwanted pregnancies, chaired by Christie Vilsack and Sally Pederson. This program aired in various communities throughout the state and was made available to schools. She has hosted her own radio and television shows and is an accomplished public speaker, having delivered commencement addresses at Clark University, UNI, Iowa State, ITT, and Kaplan University.
Ruth Ann is a single adoptive parent of a child with multiple disabilities. In 1984, she was one of 15 single persons to adopt in Iowa. She has worked for and served on numerous committees and boards to help the disabled. She served on the Very Special Arts Iowa Board and has sponsored many special needs artists in the Des Moines community. |