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The Rotary Club of Coral Gables (RCCG) Annual Citizen of the Year Award honored an amazing Coral Gables citizen, Ruth Martinez, as well as a corporate citizen of the year, the Coral Gables Community Foundation, who could be honored every year for its efforts in our community. The luncheon was held at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables on May 11 with a larger than normal crowd in attendance with those very popular honorees.
RCCG’s President-Elect Frank Sexton introduced citizen honoree, Ruth Martinez, President of the Coral Gables Woman’s Club, whose resume was eye opening as this humble individual has an impressive background of career and volunteer accomplishments. With a BA and Masters in Education and a doctorate in Education Administration, she has taught at both Elementary and University levels, provided educational consulting for the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor and the U.S. Agency for International development.
She managed the Commissary at the American Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay and worked with the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce in various roles both in Washington, D.C. and Miami, FL.
A lifetime of volunteerism followed her as they moved for her husband’s job. In Virginia she worked on the Naomi Project, a mentoring program for pregnant women and teenagers, and also volunteered at the local elementary school to read with children and teach phonics. While working at the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, national office in Washington, DC she founded the US -Mexico Cultural and Educational Foundation, a 501c.3. organization, which became the educational arm of the Chamber. As a result, she developed and began an internship program for US and Mexico university students to participate in summer internships with member companies in the neighboring country.
After moving to Coral Gables in November of 2010, Ruth served as a volunteer at her granddaughter’s school Carver Elementary, collaborating with Book and Books in an Author Exchange. Various authors were brought to the schools in Coral Gables to share with students how they wrote their books, how to illustrate a book, etc. Ruth worked canvassing for Mayor Jim Cason for his first and second terms and was appointed to serve on the School and Community Relations Committee for the City of Coral Gables. She joined the CGWC in 2013, took on leadership roles immediately as Education Chair for two terms during which she started the club’s annual children’s festival that has been running for 8 years. Ruth works as an Elections Clerk in Miami Dade Elections and has begun volunteering with the Refugee Assistance Alliance (RAA) working with a 38-year-old Afghani woman refugee. Thus far, most of the work has involved finding and scheduling medical appointments, teaching English and helping with employment opportunities. It is easy to see why the Rotary Club of Coral Gables awarded her this prestigious honor.
Corporate Citizen of the Year was Coral Gables Community Foundation whose work in our community is unparalleled under the guidance of President & CEO Mary Snow. Mary accepted the award on behalf of the Foundation with CGCF Chair Venny Torre, her staff, and others present who were part of the CGCF history since its creation in 1991. CGCF has brought together donors who have created discretionary, donor-advised and scholarships funds that have simplified giving for many donors and scholarship fund holders. Mary Snow’s initiatives with her board have brought wonderful events to the city for all to enjoy from the Umbrella Sky on Giralda to the most recent Moon over the Gables at Fred B Hartnett Ponce Circle Park.
CGCF has awarded scholarships to deserving students, supported programs focusing on education, arts & culture, and historic preservation, as well as social & health services. In fact, this Foundation has awarded more than $11 million to worthy causes and, in the early years, creating and renovating parks, incubating, and spinning off the Coral Gables Museum and more.
After accepting the glass tear drop trophies, both Ruth Martinez and Mary Snow were presented with a certificate and pin making them both Paul Harris Fellows, a most highly regarded honor from Rotary International. Congratulations to both award winners, who are most deserving of this recognition and more.
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