Ruth's List is named for Ruth Bryan Owen, the first woman elected to Congress from the South. 

A widow and mother of four children, Ruth successfully ran for office in 1928, eight years after women were given the vote.  Her district stretched from the Georgia line to Key West -- and she drove her district during her campaign in her car "The Spirit of Florida."

In Congress, Ruth sponsored a bill to create a Cabinet-level Department of Home and Child and wrote legislation to create Everglades National Park. 

In 1933, President Roosevelt appointed Ruth minister to Denmark, a diplomatic first for women.  The photo on the right below shows Ruth formally attired to be presented to the King of Denmark. In 1948, President Truman named her an alternate delegate to the U.N. General Assembly. 

                                                                             _ 

Ruth Bryan Owen is a stellar example of the kind of difference Florida women can make as elected officials.

                                                                              _