It is with great sadness that I note the passing of Ruth Proskauer Smith. Ruth was an unforgettable and inspiring 100 year old who I was lucky to meet while writing, “What I Know.” Ruth truly lived a truly remarkable life…and that is an understatement.
I met Ruth at her apartment in New York shortly after her hundredth birthday. She immediately stood out. Ruth lived like someone who was only a fraction of her age. She lived alone, rode the bus daily, and continued to take courses on law and the Supreme Court.
Ruth embodied the spirit of self-determination. And she relentlessly advocated for choice and the power of self in all aspects of life. Born to the legendary attorney, Judge Joseph Proskauer, Ruth came of age with a role model of epic proportions. Her father had a hand in shaping President Roosevelt’s New Deal. Ruth learned early on that she had a voice and that she could influence policy and behavior.
Ruth’s legacy will live on. Her political work leaves a lasting mark. And I hope her story will offer an inspiring reminder in the power of personal choice and self-determination.
Today I find myself considering what personal choice means to me and how I put those beliefs to work in my own life. As you read Ruth’s story, I’d love to hear what “choice” in life means to you.
“I had a degree of access because of my father, but I am proud that I chose to work in the way that was most meaningful to me. I learned hands on that you always have a choice and can make an impact on the world.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/nyregion/27smith.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
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