Ruth May Fox, a great grandmother of Sharon Pew, Chaplain of the El Dorado Chapter, dedicated her life to raising a large family, serving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and fighting for women’s right to vote in the state of Utah.

Born in England in 1853, Ruth emigrated with her father to the United States settling in Utah. While working with heavy machinery in a textile mill as a teenager, Ruth had strong feelings about women working for equal pay. She desired to serve both her church and community and was active in several organizations.

In the late 19th century Ruth fought for the inclusion of woman suffrage in the Utah state constitution and helped draft the Suffrage Memorial presented and accepted by the 1895 Utah Constitutional Convention.

On May 12, 1895, Ruth met suffrage leaders Susan B. Anthony and Reverend Anna Howard upon their arrival to Salt Lake City. Ruth continued to dedicate spare time working tirelessly in support of suffrage and to promote the election of candidates to office who would support women’s issues.

Ruth passed away in 1959 at the age of 104. Fox said: “Life brings some hard lessons. The sturdiest plants are not grown under glass, and strength of character is not derived from the avoidance of problems.” The Fox family and the state of Utah were blessed with Ruth’s lifelong service to God, home and country.

Photo: Ruth casting her first vote