Heart for Truth

In the late 1990s, Ruth began to feel called to public service.

To prepare, she spent two hours each day studying and memorizing scripture, eventually learning 650 passages by heart. Among the most important to her: Ephesians 6, in which the Apostle Paul counsels believers to “put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Ruth was deeply influenced by Elisabeth Elliot’s writings on A.W. Tozer’s “Five Vows of Spiritual Power.” She also used Strategic Coach, a secular coaching program for entrepreneurs, to help her define her strengths and goals.

After serving two terms as a district representative on the Mecklenburg County commission, she lost in her 2004 bid for an at-large commission seat. But she was drawn back into politics in 2006, as the GOP sought her out as a candidate to represent the 104th District in the state House.

When the GOP gained majority control of the state legislature in 2010, it ushered in a major sea change in state government, and Ruth became one of the leading political figures in North Carolina. She personally took on issues such as racial reconciliation, abortion and environmental protection, and she was called upon to mediate the toughest political disputes of the day, often amongst her own party members.

Then, on the cusp of becoming House Speaker in 2014, Ruth announced she was bowing out of politics, to spend more time with her family and in pursuit of another passion -- philanthropic consulting -- through the national advisory firm Excellence in Giving.

After her passing in 2017, both Republicans and Democrats gathered on the floor of the state House and spent three hours remembering her.

What made Ruth such a compelling political figure in an age of deep political acrimony?

Politics

Ruth saw her role in politics as being a mediator, facilitator and a negotiator. Listen to her colleagues in the state legislature discuss how she embraced that role.

The Word

Scripture guided every action Ruth took in her work as an elected official. Find out how she influenced others to look to the Word of God to direct and sustain them.

Pro-Life

Ruth’s role as a mediator did not stop her from taking a stand on one of the most contentious issues of our time: abortion. Hear about how Ruth’s courageous stand on the floor of the legislature is still saving lives today.

Building Bridges

Ruth developed real relationships with colleagues with whom she disagreed on the most sensitive of topics. Learn about how she brought people together and built consensus.

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Speeches

“Women’s Right to Know” Act

Go to 18:55 and to 1:25:35 to hear Ruth speak on this topic

“Women’s Right to Know” Act

Go to 18:55 and to 1:25:35 to hear Ruth speak on this topic

How To Pray For Your Leaders

Ruth lays out a case for what and why we should pray for our civic leaders. She then shares what happens if we don't pray.

How To Pray For Your Leaders

Ruth lays out a case for what and why we should pray for our civic leaders. She then shares what happens if we don't pray.

Legislative Prayer Breakfast

Ruth shares her own experience of seeking a prayerful life as a politician.

Legislative Prayer Breakfast

Ruth shares her own experience of seeking a prayerful life as a politician.

Service Above Self

Ruth explains how her passion for service above self led her to leave politics at the height of her influence.

Service Above Self

Ruth explains how her passion for service above self led her to leave politics at the height of her influence.

Speech on Leadership

Ruth builds a case for servant leadership as both biblical and most effective.

Speech on Leadership

Ruth builds a case for servant leadership as both biblical and most effective.

A Legislator's Tools for Prayer

Ruth lists 3 tools for improving your prayer life, including seeking out "sword brothers"

A Legislator's Tools for Prayer

Ruth lists 3 tools for improving your prayer life, including seeking out "sword brothers"

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Articles

"No one can accurately say they don't have a faith perspective. Everyone believes in something and that 'something' colors their worldview on everything, including politics."

Ruth Samuelson

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"I made a resolve never to run for office again unless I had a prayer team."

Ruth Samuelson

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"I begin each day with a routine. I visualize my day, review my Bible verses, pray through the fruit of the Spirit, and then I put on my spiritual armor."

Ruth Samuelson

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"I begin each day with a routine. I visualize my day, review my Bible verses, pray through the fruit of the Spirit, and then I put on my spiritual armor."

Ruth Samuelson

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CaringBridge Quotes

During Ruth’s struggle with cancer, hundreds of people shared messages of hope and support with Ruth & Ken on their CaringBridge site. Here are a few.

My favorite quality about you is that you don't accept easy answers to hard questions, and you always pushed for real, authentic, raw conversation.

Kristen Kailer

Dear Ruth, A memory of you I desire to share. We ran into each other at the Bank of America Corp HQ one day. You were about to go up to the executive floor and do what you do best - Influence others to do something you know in your heart is right. At that moment I thought this: Thank you dear Heavenly Father for putting people like Ruth on the face of the earth to carry the flag of Biblical truth wherever she goes, especially as a public servant. Thank you for giving us a taste of heaven - God bless you dear sister.

Anthony Pizzuti

I remember teaching Sunday School in my early days as an intern at Uptown, wondering if I had enough material, and thinking "Oh, Ruth's in that class. She'll ask a tough question and that'll be good for a few minutes of discussion.

Jake Hunt

From the moment I met you Ruth, I knew there was something special about you. Initially I was most struck with how brilliant you are. I was so impressed with how articulate you are and how you could argue a point and be so right and so clear. As I got to know you more, I saw your servant's heart. In politics, your positions never wavered from your firm beliefs, yet you compassionately articulated them. We need more people like you involved in the public sphere. On a personal level, you have always treated me like a close friend, even before you knew me that well. You will always be someone I admire and want to emulate. You are so much like Ruth in the Bible--faithful and true to the people you serve. And you are the epitome of my favorite Mary Kay Ash quote: "The speed of the leader is the speed of the gang." You always set the perfect example for the rest of us to follow. I love you and always will.

Martha Jenkins

Ruth you are an amazing woman, a trailblazer. I want to thank you for the courage you showed getting Pro-Life legislation passed to protect women and save babies.

Pat McElraft

Ken and Ruth, Michael and I only knew you for the brief years (2010-2011) we were at Uptown with you, but your Godly influence in our lives is something we still talk about. I was always blown away and encouraged to memorize more scripture being around Ruth because the Bible freely came off her tongue. It was a beautiful testament of her strong faith. I will never forget the way she spoke or prayed. I desire to be like Ruth! She was hilarious, sharp, kind, and cared so deeply for others.

Rachel Gallo

You've been given many gifts including an amazing ability to listen, to hear, to understand and to speak clear and gentle truth into many lives.

Sally Dickson

Ruth, One of my first memories is of you teaching Scripture to kids at my neighborhood Backyard Bible Club. I have always been struck and impressed by your personal commitment to memorizing Scripture. From hosting the weekly Bible study and other church events to serving a a county and state representative, you have invested your gifts and talents for the benefit of many. Thank you for serving as God's "good and faithful servant".

Susan Padgett

Although you did many good things as a legislator and in House leadership, your leadership to champion the passage of the Woman's Right to Know Bill will be something I will remember forever. Your passion for unborn babies and the sanctity of life was on full display, and so was your loving yet firm representation for Jesus Christ. I will never forget when you presented the bill on the floor of the House. You explained the bill clearly and passionately, and then lots of pro-abortion women legislators stood up to question your motives, question your womanhood, question your faith, question your compassion for women facing tough choices. You were unflappable. Although you felt compassion for women facing tough choices, you were focused on the babies. Their right to have life and your responsibility to speak up for them. I was sitting just above you in the gallery that day. You were fielding questions, insults, and parliamentary maneuvers from other pro-abortion legislators. I felt like you were Joshua fighting the Amalekites, while all of us who were praying in the gallery and across the state were Moses, Aaron, and Hur. You were not afraid to expose your own personal tragedy to help your colleagues see the truth--that unborn babies deserved life, that women seeking an abortion deserved information not coercion, and that making an informed decision was much more compassionate than allowing abortion providers to run roughshod over pregnant women. I was proud of you! I know our Lord in Heaven was proud too. That was courageous, it was bold, and it showed that you fear God more than you fear man.

Tami Fitzgerald

I will never forget Ruth telling the story about when she prayed about how to run her campaign and she felt like God told her to memorize scripture. Ruth, I will always remember how your heart and mouth have been a fountain of Scripture, reciting, remembering, and believing God's promises and his power, his kindness and his love. Thank you for living a life submitted to and empowered by God's word.

Trish Shank

How blessed I was to meet you during our shared experience in Leadership North Carolina, Class XIII. From the get go, you were the natural leader in our class - quiet, but confident; articulate, but relatable; wise, but teachable. I remember specifically our time in Wilmington - the environmental segment - when I rode in your Prius to the Chancellor's house and I was so impressed that you being "so hip" with that car. I had never heard of a Prius - always a woman ahead of the times. And then to watch your rise in the NC Legislature - skyrocketing to positions of leadership and influence - I was so proud of you, a woman leader in our state. Thank you for all that you have done - for me personally; for our LNC class; for our state. I so admire you and am so thankful that I can call you my friend. Much love. Much gratitude.

Virginia Parker
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