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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-249
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
July 12, 2016
To recognize and honor Past Grand Worthy Matron Ruth C. Smith on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
WHEREAS, Ruth C. Smith is a native Washingtonian, the younger daughter of the late Minerva G. Dabney, a charter member of Ruth Chapter No. 8, Order of the Eastern Star, and William H. Dabney, a member of Doric Lodge No. 19, and Jonathan Davis Consistory No. 1, of Washington, D.C.;
WHEREAS, Ruth C. Smith was educated in the public schools of the District of Columbia, graduated from Howard University, and received degrees in library science from Hampton University and Columbia University;
WHEREAS, Ruth C. Smith joined Ruth Chapter No. 8, Order of the Eastern Star in 1950 and has been active in most of the Masonic organizations for women in this city and across the country;
WHEREAS, Ruth C. Smith was elected as Grand Worthy Matron of the Georgiana Grand Chapter, Prince Hall Affiliate, Order of the Eastern Star in 1983, and her main activity was the presentation of the Reverend James Cleveland and the Jubilee Majestic Choir at the DAR Constitution Hall;
WHEREAS, Ruth C. Smith was the first black American and first woman to serve as director of the National Institutes of Health Library, one of the major medical libraries in the United States;
WHEREAS, Ruth C. Smith was active in several organizations, including Toastmistress, the Special Libraries Association, the Medical Library Association, and the International Federation of Library Associations (“IFLA”);
WHEREAS, the ILFA convened meetings all over the world and Ruth C. Smith (and often her husband) had the opportunity to visit London, Brussels, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Canada, Germany, Hawaii, Denmark, and the Philippines;
WHEREAS, Ruth C. Smith served the Grand Chapter as Grand Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence (“CCFC”) for 19 years, and after retiring from the position in 2014 was named Grand CCFC Emeritus; and
WHEREAS, Ruth C. Smith continues to use her extensive knowledge in the following Masonic affiliations: elected Grand Historian of the General Conference of Grand Courts, and Heroines of Jericho of the United States and the Bahamas; and honors as Past General Conference Grand Most Ancient Matron in 2005; Lydia Court No. 3 and Honorary Past Royal Grand Perfect Matron and Royal Grand Treasurer Emeritus of Dorcas Grand Court, Ladies of the Circle of Perfection.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Ruth C. Smith Recognition Resolution of 2016”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes Ruth C. Smith and her contributions to the District as a community.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
