Her resume of accomplishments could literally fill a textbook. She’s never been one to put herself on a pedestal and won’t let others put her there either. But this inductee into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame has done everything from serving for the past 40 years on the Board of Trustees of Southern Methodist University as well as on The Communities Foundation of Texas. She serves as a trustee for the Laura Bush Foundation for American Libraries and was appointed to the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board. She was the first life member of the National Board of the Salvation Army. She also has tons of national honors including "The Alexis de Toqueville Award for Volunteer Service" from United Way of America.

I spent some time with Ruth to find out her secret to success and what advice she has for women based on what she’s learned over the years.

You’re 80 years young, what is your secret?
Ruth: I’ve got good genes and I’m very healthy. I really don’t have a secret. Actually, I’m even more active than ever. So it must be good genes, good health and a great family.

You’re very close to First Lady Laura Bush. What an honor it must have been to serve as a trustee for her foundation.
Ruth: It’s been an honor to serve and to do anything with her. We’ve raised money and set up a nice endowment. We’ve helped 1200 schools with a grant for books. It’s an incredible organization.

What have you learned from your friendship with women like Laura Bush?
Ruth: There’s a saying by Albert Schweitzer that I use with my daughters that says “example is not the main thing in influencing others, it’s the only thing.” Laura has been a great influence to the women of this country. I describe her as example of someone who is beautiful inside and out. Women in general just don’t hear that word enough to describe each other. Every day since Laura has been the governor’s wife or the president’s, she’s gotten up to do her duty with charm and warmth. She recently had major surgery – a three hour surgery on her neck. She had some kind of nerve condition and the doctors wanted to operate. They wouldn’t let her wait until after Christmas which is when she wanted to do it. She had it on a Saturday and I saw her on the following Tuesday on TV walking with President Bush and the Cheney’s at a memorial dedicated to 9/11. There she is three days later. That’s what I mean by being beautiful. I know most of us would’ve been still in bed complaining about the pain. She never misses an obligation. In my opinion you couldn’t have a better First Lady. She’s so dignified and down to earth. She’s been to Dallas so many times and we go to eat at Goff’s Hamburgers. She doesn’t call ahead of time or ask them to close it down like you hear about Hollywood celebrities doing. She’s there at the tables eating hamburgers with all of her friends and the public. She takes time out from her meal to take pictures with the children that approach her and talks to the customers that walk up to her. She’s a perfect example on how surviving in a hard job is possible with her deep faith in God and having a great marriage.

What advice do you have for women to be successful?
Ruth: I just think using the example of others around you or role models like the First Lady in how important a good set of values plays in how you live and surrounding yourself with good people that support you. Also, I feel like in general manners have been lost in the shuffle somewhat. And I don’t think we’ll ever go back to a dress code. I was in New York recently shopping with my daughter and there were women in short shorts and sandals. In my day, I like it that it’s not gloves and hats anymore. But I do think the informality is overdone. Women need to remember that their dress is a reflection of their image.

You recently served with Emmitt Smith and Roger Staubach as honorary chairs for an event benefiting the American Foundation for the Blind Center on Vision Loss. It’s not like you’re at a loss for things to do. Why was this benefit important to you?
Ruth: They called me and said that Roger wanted me to be a part of it. I love Roger and think he does so much for our community. If there is an event he’s always there and lends his money and support. So I’d do anything for him. I never met Emmitt so I was also looking forward to working with him. Since I’ve been so involved with the Salvation Army I like how he gave them credit for staying on the right track when he was a kid growing up in Florida and giving him a place to go. You’ve never heard a word of scandal about him. He has a big heart and has a foundation to help kids around the country.

I understand that helping the American Foundation for the Blind Center on Vision Loss was also important to you due to knowing Helen Keller. I have never met anyone that actually knew Helen Keller.
Ruth: People think that Helen Keller lived on the Mayflower. Her brother actually lived in Dallas. He and his wife were my mother and father’s best friends. They lived on Lakewood and we lived on Swiss Avenue. Helen was just amazing. I didn’t know her when she was with her assistant, Anne Sullivan. She will go down in history with Helen. She was her companion for fifty years. When Helen graduated Suma Cum Laude from Rutgers, Anne was the one that helped Helen with all of her papers. She had to have someone with her all of the time. When I was with her it was Polly (Thomson). Helen didn’t have a cane but held on to someone’s arm at all times. Just imagine being blind and deaf from eighteen months old for your entire life. She was never without a smile and was always telling interesting things. Her vocabulary was bigger than mine. Her poetry was fabulous. She was so remarkable.

What you’ve accomplished could also be called remarkable. What’s left if anything on your list of goals to achieve?
Ruth: Nothing. I have a wonderful husband that I’ve been married to for 20 years. I have three very sweet children and six grandchildren. My husband has three children and six grandchildren. Our children are so kind, good, and considerate. That’s what matters in life. That’s what I call an accomplishment. We’re proud of them and our grandchildren. That’s what I’m most proud of and feel that having them in my life that I’m fulfilled and blessed.

Any advice on living a fulfilled life from a pro like you?
Ruth: I say just keep going until you drop. That's my plan and it's been working. I'm still puttering along.