There are too few genuine heroes in this world, but one has been found in New York, and video of her explaining why she felt it so necessary to vote has quickly gone viral on social media.
Her name is Ruth, and she was taken to the polls in the Empire State by Faith Salie, who also brought her two young children along for the experience.
In the video, Salie explains that Ruth was born in 1916, three years before women could even vote thanks to the 19th Amendment, which wasn’t ratified until 1919. As Salie goes on to add:
“Her first vote was for FDR. Her dad died of the flu during the pandemic of 1918 when she was two. This is her voting story today.”
Here are Salie’s tweets from her voting experience with Ruth:
Today I had the honor to escorting my 104.5 year-old friend Ruth to vote.
She was born before women had the right to vote.
Her 1st vote was for FDR.
Her dad died of the flu during the pandemic of 1918, when she was 2.
This is her voting story today. pic.twitter.com/FaJlPhGT42
— Faith Salie (@Faith_Salie) October 25, 2020
Here she is with her walker, crossing Broadway towards Lincoln Center where she’s lived since the Nixon administration.
A voting official led the way (along with my son.) pic.twitter.com/axb3yFaHKR— Faith Salie (@Faith_Salie) October 25, 2020
— Faith Salie (@Faith_Salie) October 25, 2020
Here’s Ruth holding my kids’ hands before we went in.
Photos and videos are not allowed at the actual voting site.
So I can only tell you that the voting officials & volunteers were unbelievably kind—some were in tears; everyone made sure Ruth went to the front of the line.
— Faith Salie (@Faith_Salie) October 25, 2020
She was ready with her license that shows her DOB : 3/30/16
(That would be 1916.)But all she had to do was show her registration card & sign with a stylus she got to keep.
My kids & I walked her to a private booth.
I helped her stand.
She filled in that circle HARD.
— Faith Salie (@Faith_Salie) October 25, 2020
When she inserted her ballot to scan, the place went nuts.
We walked out to the street & all the folks in line for hours cheered her. pic.twitter.com/JkAAxk3akK
— Faith Salie (@Faith_Salie) October 25, 2020
Ruth voted. More specifically, she voted to rid this country of “that asshole Trump.” And she made her political statement in the strongest way possible: With her ballot, which speaks louder than all the words in the world.
Thank you for reminding us of the value of something far too many take for granted, Ruth. You’re an inspiration to the entire nation.