Ruth Lee Needham was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 42 years. Her membership is actually longer since her mother enrolled her when she was a young girl as a Junior member. Ruth Lee was a former member of the Port Washington Unit who joined Unit 304 upon the closing of the Port Washington Unit .
Ruth Lee touched the lives of countless veterans during those years, one of whom was her husband, Bob, to whom she wrote a letter each day of his military service. Bob saved them all. Ruth Lee was also a true role model for young women. At a time when it was not so fashionable, she graduated from college with a double major in economics and sociology. That was in 1948 when less than 29% of those enrolled in colleges were women. Now it’s over 57% so Ruth Lee was definitely ahead of her time.
She was a devoted wife, loving Mom successful businesswoman and a giving volunteer. Her life was characterized by service beginning with her earliest days as a Girl Scout and then continuing as a Girl Scout Leader. She did extensive work with her husband Bob for the Lion’s Club and was a very active member of St. Stephen’s Church in Port Washington.
Ruth Lee was an Empire Girls State citizen and we are very proud that she served as our Empire Girls State Chairperson for several years. This is a wonderful program each year for more than 300 girls who are juniors in high school from all over New York State. They meet for one week at a college campus and undergo an intense, hands-on experience in learning about our form of government. By serving as Chairperson, Ruth Lee assisted young women in becoming informed voters and maybe even political leaders.
Ruth Lee’s contributions to our American Legion Auxiliary will not be forgotten. She had a tremendous influence upon our communities and lived our motto, “Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country.”