Ruth Mojica-Hammer

Ruth was a trailblazing Latina on television, in politics and religion, fearlessly moving through the complex environment of her hometown, Chicago, and the national arena of the Chicano and Women's movements of the 1970s. She was the first Latina to run for Congress in Illinois and was the campaign manager of the first Latina elected in the state, Irene C. Hernandez, Cook County Board of Commissioners. As vice-chair of the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC), she served two terms from 1973-1977. She was a member of the Census Advisory Committee on the Spanish Origin Population for the 1980 U.S. Census. She was appointed by President Carter to the Commission for the Observance of International Women's Year, National Women's Conference. She founded the Chicago chapter of Mexican American Business and Professional Women Club. After a return to her faith community, Rhea took the name of Ruth and joined the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the Board of World Ministries (BWM) attending the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. She retired in 1992 to El Paso, Texas where she was a member of the Mayor's Advisory Board on Aging, and with the Senior Advisory Committee of the Texas State Legislature, worked on elder care reform. In 2009 she received the Sor Juana Women of Achievement award from the National Museum of Mexican Art.

She was the first child of Ponciano Mojica and Guadalupe Mojica y Gallegos, and is survived by her daughter, Linda, and her brothers Robert and Carlos. She was Godmother, Aunt Cookie, and Ms. Ruth to many young men and women inspired by her career and her generosity.

A celebration of Ruth's life and legacy will be held, January 7, 2023, 10:00 am to noon, National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W 19th Street Chicago, IL 60608