What a great job on this story. Thanks to Kati for this story, to Jonathan for the December story, and to sacramentopress.com. Mother Ruby, the two bands that performed--The Jazz Generation and Women Rock, and I are now interested in taking our shows on the road to share ethnic and women's history and music, to tell untold stories from Mother Ruby's long life, to challenge and inspire people everywhere to be open to trying new activities and to join with others to make our communities and world a more collaborative, peaceful place. Suzanne Brooks, CEO, International Association for Women of Color Day. Vocalist/Bandleader/Playwright/Songwriter/Poet of The Jazz Generation band Lead Vocalist, Women Rock band Owner, Creative Concepts Systems: Event Planning, Grant Writing, Private Investigation, Consulting and more http://www.womenofcolorday.com http://www.creativeconsys.com

People are entitled to their own opinions. These statements represent opinions which are in dispute. To the extent that this is an effort to smear Mother Ruby, I would ask that readers and writers investigate facts and not smear a brilliant, gifted woman who endured many hardships, even while employed by people seen as the best of the country by many. In supporting her, I have been working to offer her an opportunity to present eye witness stories of the more than a century of her life. None of the notes above have anything to do with her. She has spoken up on behalf of people of every race and religion, encouraging tolerance that she did not receive for much of her life. She has been willing to meet with medical professionals, providing information that could benefit all of humanity. I have been dealing with some anti-Islam, anti-Nation of Islam hostility at times. Unfortunately, there are people who do not want to see that the harsh times in her life were not her fault. In addition, she spent most of her life as a Christian. No matter what religion she has associated with, she remains welcoming to all religions, Christian, Muslims, Jews and all others and frequently speaks on the subject of the need for religious tolerance in the world. Nor is there any religious group which has not been guilty through the centuries and even in recent times of harming, sometimes exterminating, others. That does not mean that we should smear members of every religion with the wrongdoings of the religious group to which they belong. I will not cite examples because I do not wish to add to the practice of attacking good people who don't deserve it. Mother Ruby has no bitterness for the tough times she has endured in life, nor does she blame any racial, ethnic or religious group. She looks at the broader pictures in history and considers what we can learn through observation and share with others to make things better. Only the Nation of Islam has chosen, even at her age, to give her extended recognition and honor which she and other centenarians deserve. There is no reason to try to sully that. The International Association for Women of Color Day included her among its 2006 honorees. More than 200 Sacramentans, women of color and men/women/organizations and businesses of people of every ethnic group have been recognized for their good work in the community, including members of Congress, members of the Sacramento Monarchs and Sacramento Sirens, members of the media and organizations including Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Interfaith Services Bureau. Recognizing Mother Ruby and arranging for her to share her experiences and observations is not a civil rights matter but a rare American story to be enjoyed and learned from. There are very few who get to her age in such an active, brilliant, gifted state of mind. We can learn from her and all centenarians who have lived through many inhumanities and much joy too. They have much wisdom to share with the rest of us. Mother Ruby is a rare treasure. Hopefully, she can be seen as such. No one who knows her has ever come away feeling differently. For the record, she is now the oldest centenarian in Sacramento, so Mother of Sacramento is reasonable in that context. I hope there is no feeling of need to hurt this very special person. Peace to All, Suzanne Brooks, CEO International Association for Women of Color Day