Ruthie Frierson

A  civic leader and  top residential realtor in Metro New Orleans, Ruthie Frierson stepped away from her work after Katrina to found Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans. She conceived a grassroots movement to focus the challenges our region faced on deep systematic reform. Ruthie first led the group in consolidating and reforming  the entrenched levee boards of S.E. La. and then the consolidation and reform of the Orleans Assessors offices through two successful legislative and state constitutional campaigns.  Gambit  newspaper ranked the two reforms as the number one story of 2006. She received the Times Picayune Loving Cup for 2006 " for her leadership in setting up the machinery of reform by slaying two sacred cows of La. politics, and for fomenting citizen activism during Louisiana's darkest hour."  
 
She has served as a Louisiana Speaks Champion- the long range regional planning committee of the Louisiana Recovery Authority; is a board member of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, serves on the executive committee  and a founding member of the New Orleans Crime Coalition, serves on the Board of Trustees of Courtwatch NOLA, Board of Trustees of Crimestoppers and is an Elder-Trustee of the St Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church--having served as an Elder for over 20 years.
 
Ruthie is a past president of the Junior League of New Orleans, past member of the Boards of the Louise S. Mc Gehee and Isidore Newman Schools; past board  member of Rhodes College in Memphis and the Marvelwood School in Cormwall, Connecticut, served as Chairman of the School Volunteer Services of the New Orleans Public Schools; served as President of the Board of the Louisiana Nature and Science Center ; was member of the Hermann Grima - Gallier  Historic House Board, and Boards of the Metropolitan Council on Aging, and Longue View House and Gardens.
 
Ruthie received the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa from Loyola University on behalf of Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans. She is the 2006 Junior League Sustainer of the Year, 2006 Newcomb Alumnae of the Year, was the recipient of the 2006 Alliance for Good Government Civic Award for Orleans Parish and Gambit Magazine New Orleanian of the Year-most honorable mention among others. 
 
Ruthie received her B.A. in history from Newcomb College-class of '62 and is married to Louis L Frierson, a graduate and Emeritis Board member of Tulane University. The Friersons have two sons and a grandson.