Ruth S. Shur

Ruth joined the LWV- Port Washington Manhasset of New York in 1963 and became its President in 1974.  From 1974 to 1976 she served on the board of LWV- Nassau County and, from 1977 to 1989 on the NY State Board.   She specialized in the areas of government, election law and the judicial system, and was the editor of the State Voter from 1977 to 1981.  The Shurs moved from Port Washington to Pittsboro, N.C. in 2007, where Ruth joined the LWV- Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties, and was active in many local causes.   While known and loved well by all the League members she worked with, she is known in wider League circles for having penned the lyrics to the League song created especially for our 70th anniversary— and now a Convention standard—The League of Women Voters: Our Pride and Passion.

From the LWV of Port Washington-Manhasset 60th Anniversary (1937-1997) Profiles of Past Presidents

Ruth Shur (1974-1976) was born in Texas, moved to Oklahoma in time to begin kindergarten and returned to the Lone Star State to attend the University of Texas. She worked for a time as a secretary at the university and then married Walter, an actuary and insurance executive. The Shurs came to Port in 1958, Ruth joined league, and like all presidents, held a number of board positions before becoming our president in 1974. She was a member of the County Board and became a member of the New York State Board in 1977 where she was First Vice President and Program Chairman. One of the best writers and wittiest members we have ever had, Ruth has left behind a long stream of clever one-liners, poems and parodies. She once wrote "There are three classes of people. Those who make things happen; those who watch things happen; and the overwhelming majority who have no idea what is happening. Save a friend from the majority...bring her to a league meeting."

The National Coaching Team (aka Ruth S. Shur Fellows) has been made possible by a generous financial contribution made to the LWV Education Fund from League member Walter Shur, of Pittsboro, North Carolina, in memory of his wife Ruth S. Shur, a longtime League member and leader.  Mr. Shur’s gift will create and sustain the Ruth S. Shur Leadership Institute, a national coaching team that will support and strengthen emerging League leadership, membership recruitment and League visibility and best practices.