Annually, March is designated as Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month celebrates all women’s contributions in American history and honors the generations of trailblazing women, girls, and non-binary persons who have built, shaped, and strengthened our communities.
Every day, women help make our organization and communities a better place with their leadership, strength, and resilience. The San Antonio Food Bank is proud to serve alongside our women hunger fighters and serve our women neighbors.
We want to highlight inspiring women who have helped shape the Food Bank by being pillars of healing and hope for their families and our community. In doing so, we are honored to share their journeys and stories with you.
Explore the journey of Susan Ruiz, the Food Bank’s Board Chair:
I grew up in San Antonio. After I graduated from Jefferson High School, I moved to Houston. I graduated from the University of Houston. I spent many years in Houston working for AT&T (the former Southwestern Bell). My career brought me back to San Antonio in 1998, which worked well for me as I could spend time with my mother in her final years. San Antonio has always been home to me with a little break when I called Houston my home.
My first encounter with the San Antonio Food Bank was around 2003. My role at AT&T at the time was Regional VP of Business Sales. My team sold telecommunications services and one of our customers was The San Antonio Food Bank.
I happened to meet Eric Cooper and he gave me a tour of the old east side facility. I watched the Food Bank grow into a strong organization that satisfies all the need in our community. I kept in touch with Eric through the years and did some volunteer hours from time to time. A few years after retiring from AT&T in 2013, I met with Eric and asked what I could do to help out at the Food Bank. I did some volunteer work and served on several committees. I joined the Board of Directors in 2017 and have the privilege to serve as the current Board Chair.
I think it is important to give back to our community. Many people need a helping hand from time to time. Everyone that needs help has different circumstances and it is best to provide help and not judge.
I am reminded of my own experience as a child. My father died unexpectedly when I was 7. My mother was immediately thrust from role as stay at home Mom to single Mom raising 2 kids. My mother rose to the occasion and with some help raised her kids.
I have been fortunate and successful in my life and now am in a position to give back. I see things through a lens of wanting to help others.
I have the privilege to serve on the Board at the San Antonio Food Bank with other community leaders. We strive to help the Food Bank be successful in fighting hunger and feeding hope in our community. The need is great and it is imperative that those that can give back find a way to do just that.
Many of my mentors were some of the amazing teachers I had in school. Many teachers do an amazing job of providing a roadmap of life for students. There were many in my life who probably never realized they helped guide my life’s direction. I hope teachers everywhere realize the valuable role they play in a student’s life. One gift teachers can provide is the gift that is never acknowledged but for which the recipient is forever grateful.
The last 2 years has turned the world upside down. Many lives were completely changed in an instant. I think one positive thing through it all is the compassion of many. We must help others in a time of healing and continue to provide hope that better times are ahead. After the pandemic passes, I hope that the compassion continues with all of us and we reach out to others in need.
Follow your dreams. If you have something you want to achieve, go for it. One of the biggest regrets you may have is looking back and wondering what if…. I am not much of a sports fan, but professional hockey player Wayne Gretzky said it best. “You miss 100% of the shots you never take”. Life is short; do not miss the shots you never take.
