Ruth Aldaco

Ruth moved to the City of Commerce from La Mesa, California in 1954 and became actively involved in her new community immediately. Ruth’s first call to service was as a volunteer parent in the PTA at Rosewood Park Elementary where her children David and Barbara attended. Rising quickly to the office of President of the PTA, Ruth yearned for broader opportunities in community service and became involved in city government.
Ruth, a trailblazer in her own right, was elected to the City Council in 1986 and in 1988 was the first woman elected to the Office of Mayor of the City of Commerce. Ruth worked diligently in her new role as Mayor to bring new business and quality child care to the city. She was instrumental in bringing the Citadel and Amtrak projects to the city.
In 1990, Ruth extended her community service into the city of Montebello. There, she joined the Board of the Montebello Family YMCA and connected the two cities to work collaboratively in support of YMCA programs.
Through hard-working collective efforts of both YMCA staff and volunteers, the Montebello-Commerce YMCA preschool opened in 2002 and continues to provide a safe and nurturing environment for hundreds of children and families. This is a testament to Ruth’s legacy for her commitment to families.
Ruth also served on the Beverly Hospital Foundation Board, Rio Hondo Boys and Girls Club Board of Managers, and the President of the California Contract Cities Association.
Ruth received the Soroptimist Woman of the Distinction Award in 1991, the Rio Hondo Boys and Girls Club Woman of the Year Award in 1992, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles Human Dignity Award in 2000, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Golden Book of Distinguished Service in 2010.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Barb Aldaco; her three granchildren – Ben, Gina, and Mark, seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-granchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Ruth Aldaco Scholarship Fund at the Montebello-Commerce YMCA.
www.ymcala.org/Montebello-Commerce
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