Ruth Hartman was among the first women in the military, serving in the US Navy WAVES during World War ll. Stationed at the Norfolk Naval Air Station, she repaired planes damaged in combat. Born on Christmas Day, 1921, Ruth (nee Zimmer) was a lifelong resident of Reading, Ohio, and the embodiment of the Greatest Generation: resilient, resourceful, incredibly smart beyond her formal education, frugal but generous, very witty and very patriotic.
After the war, Ruth returned to Reading and met her husband, Bill, and raised her family. In 2013, Ruth was among the first female veterans honored by Honor Flight Tri-State. Ruth had a marvelous long life, well lived and she passed away in August of 2020. Well into her nineties, Ruth could be seen putting out her US flag every morning as she picked up her paper, and working in her yard, pinning up laundry in the sun. Ruth passed away in August of 2020.
Ruth’s daughter, Donna Hartman, is the generous sponsor of an essay contest, in Ruth’s honor. This essay contest is open to entrants between the ages of 13-18 with a $1000 Grand Prize. We honor our veterans who gave to our country, in the prime of their lives, with no hesitation and we open this essay contest—details on www.empoweruohio.org–right column blog section to all of our attendees. Ruth Hartman You are an Empowered Citizen.
