Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Ida G. Ruben (1929-2024)
MSA SC 3520-12157

Biography:

Born in Washington, DC, January 7, 1929. Attended Washington, DC, public schools; Roosevelt High School, Washington, DC. Married to L. Leonard Ruben; four sons. Died November 1, 2024, in Bethesda, Maryland.

General Assembly:
Maryland State Senate, Legislative District 20 (D), Montgomery County, 1987-2007. President Pro Tem, 2000-07. Member, Budget and Taxation Committee, 1987-2007 (vice-chair, 1997-99; vice-chair, capital budget subcommittee, 2003-07, member, 1996-2007; public safety, transportation & environment subcommittee, 2000-07; chair, public safety, transportation, economic development, & natural resources subcommittee, 1995-99); Executive Nominations Committee, 1991-2007; Legislative Policy Committee, 1991-2007. Member, Special Joint Committee on Economic Development Strategy, 1989 (chair, services advisory subcommittee); Joint Committee on Education Funding, 1990; Joint Audit Committee, (formerly Joint Budget and Audit Committee), 1991-2003; Joint Protocol Committee, 1991-2007; Joint Legislative Work Group on Community College Financing, 1994-95; Joint Committee on State Economic Development Initiatives, 1995; Special Joint Task Force on Transportation, 1995. Majority Whip, 1995-99. Member, Spending Affordability Committee, 1995-2007; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 1996, 2002, 2003. Co-Chair, Senate Committee on Redistricting, 2001-02. Chair, Montgomery County Senate Delegation, 1989-2007. Member, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1975-2007 (president, 1982-84); Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2005-07. Convention chair, National Order of Women Legislators, 1980. Member, Assembly on the Legislatures, National Conference of State Legislatures (transportation committee, 2003-07); Southern Legislative Conference of Council of State Governments (economic development, transportation & cultural affairs committee, 1997-2007).

House of Delegates, Legislative District 20 (D), Montgomery County, 1975-87. Member, Economic Matters Committee, 1975-82; Ways and Means Committee, 1982-86. Chair, Montgomery County Delegation, 1981-87 (vice-chair, 1978-81).

Member, Ad Hoc Committee to Study Status of Women, Montgomery County. Member, Committee on Suggested State Legislation and Task Force on Growth and Transportation, Council of State Governments; Child Support Enforcement Advisory Council, 1983-86; Governor's Motor Carrier Task Force for Safety and Uniformity, 1989; Sound Barrier Review Panel, 1995-96; Commission on the Future of Maryland Courts, 1995-97; Task Force to Study the Effects of Cult Activities on Public Senior Higher Education Institutions, 1999; Study Panel to Review Economic Development Financing Programs, 1999; Commission on Transportation Investment, 1999; Statewide 800-MHz Communications System Oversight Committee, 1999; Transit Policy Panel, 2000; Special Task Force for Transit-Oriented Development, 2000-01; Virginia-Maryland-District of Columbia Joint Legislative Commission on Interstate Transportation, 2000-03; Maryland State Arts Council, 2002-07.

Private Career and Other Public Service:
Past president, international board member, treasurer, vice-president, B'nai B'rith Women. Past commissioner, National Anti-Defamation League (national advisory committee). Maryland Democratic Party Ethics Committee. Democratic precinct chair, 1967-74. Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 1992, 1996, 2000. Member, Democratic clubs. Active in all national, State and local election campaigns since 1963. Board of Directors, Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, 1986-. Board of Trustees, Adventist Health Care Mid-Atlantic, 1986-. Member, Washington Adventist Hospital Foundation, 1986-. Board member, CHI Centers, 1986-. Award, Centers for the Handicapped, 1987, 1991. "Best of" award for most effective public official, Silver Spring Record, 1990. Woman of Valor award, B'nai B'rith Women, 1992. 100 Most Powerful Women, Washington Magazine, 1994, 1997. Carmen S. Turner Award, Montgomery County Dept. of Transportation, 1995. Legislator of the Year, Montgomery County Medical Society, 1995. Legislator of the Year, National Commission Against Drunk Driving, 1995. Vince & Larry Award, Maryland Committee for Safety Belt Use, Inc., 1997. Appreciation Award, Adventist HealthCare & Washington Adventist Hospital, 1998. Leadership Award, Olney Theater Center, 1998. Legislator of the Year, Greater Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, 1999. Legislative Appreciation Award, Maryland Association of Community Services, 1999. Highway Safety Hero, Advocates for Highway Safety, 1999. Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 1999, 2001, 2004 (Circle of Excellence). Appreciation Award, American Lung Association, 2000. Honoree, Maryland College of Art & Design, 2000. Public Service Award, Washington Regional Alcohol Program, 2001. Public Policy Leadership Award, American Cancer Society, State of Maryland, 2002. Distinguished Public Service Award, American Lung Association of Maryland, 2003. Distinguished Legislator Award, Maryland Impaired Driver Coalition, 2003. S. Robert Cohen Award, Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, 2004. "Arts Stars" Award for vision, leadership, and determination in helping to establish Arts and Entertainment District in Silver Spring, Montgomery College, 2004. 100 Most Powerful Women of Washington, Washingtonian Magazine, 2006. Member, Society of Senates Past.

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