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Ruth Ann Gaines

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State Representative
Democrat
Bills & Committees
Professor
Polk
91
01/13/2025 - 01/10/2027
33

Term

Serving eighth term in House.

Profession

Educator.

Education

Received B.A. in drama/speech from Clarke College. Received M.A. in dramatic arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara. 30+ Graduate Studies at Drake University.

Memberships and Activities

Served on State Foster Care Review Board, Loras College Board of Regents, Very Special Arts Iowa, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, Eyerly-Ball Board, YWCA Board, NAACP Board, Hospice of Central Iowa, Repertory Theater of Iowa, Drama Workshop, Iowa Arts Council, Holy Family Foundation Board, Des Moines Area Religious Council, Westminster House Board, and the Des Moines Tutoring Board, and is a Des Moines Optimist Club Charter Member. Current member of Friends of Des Moines Human Rights and past president, Candeo Board, Iowa Juneteenth Observation Board, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Graduate Chapter. Founder of Sisters for Success Des Moines Public Schools’ Mentorship Program.

Birth and Residence

Born in 1947 in Des Moines. Raised and resides in Des Moines.

Family Members

One son.

No Photo
State Representative
Democrat
Bills & Committees
Community College Professor
Polk
90
01/09/2023 - 01/12/2025
33

Term

Serving seventh term in House.

Profession

Educator.

Education

Received B.A. in drama/speech from Clarke College. Received M.A. in dramatic arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara. 30+ Graduate Studies at Drake University.

Memberships and Activities

Served on State Foster Care Review Board, Loras College Board of Regents, Very Special Arts Iowa, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, Eyerly-Ball Board, YWCA Board, NAACP Board, Hospice of Central Iowa, Repertory Theater of Iowa, Drama Workshop, Iowa Arts Council, Holy Family Foundation Board, Des Moines Area Religious Council, Westminster House Board, and the Des Moines Tutoring Board, and is a Des Moines Optimist Club Charter Member. Current member of Friends of Des Moines Human Rights and past president, Candeo Board, Iowa Juneteenth Observation Board, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Graduate Chapter. Founder of Sisters for Success Des Moines Public Schools’ Mentorship Program.

Birth and Residence

Born in 1947 in Des Moines. Raised and resides in Des Moines.

Family Members

One son.

No Photo
State Representative
Democrat
Bills & Committees
DMACC Adjunct Professor
Polk
89
01/11/2021 - 01/08/2023
32

Term

Serving sixth term in House.

Profession

Educator.

Education

Received B.A. in drama/speech from Clarke College, Dubuque. Received M.A. in dramatic arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara. 30+ Graduate Studies at Drake University.

Memberships and Activities

Served on State Foster Care Review Board, Loras College Board of Regents, Very Special Arts Iowa, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, Eyerly-Ball Board, YWCA Board, NAACP Board, Hospice of Central Iowa, Repertory Theater of Iowa, Drama Workshop, Iowa Arts Council, Holy Family Foundation Board, Des Moines Area Religious Council, Westminster House Board, Des Moines Tutoring Board, and Des Moines Optimist Club Charter Member. Current member of Friends of Des Moines Human Rights and past president, Candeo Board, Iowa Juneteenth Observation Board, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Graduate Chapter. Founder of Sisters for Success Des Moines Public Schools’ Mentorship Program.

Birth and Residence

Born in 1947 in Des Moines. Raised and resides in Des Moines.

Family Members

Partner, Vidal Spaine; one son.

No Photo
State Representative
Democrat
Bills & Committees
Professor
Polk
88
01/14/2019 - 01/10/2021
32

Term

Serving fifth term in House.

Profession

Teacher.

Education

Received B.A. in drama/speech from Clarke College, Dubuque. Received M.A. in dramatic arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Memberships and Activities

Served on State Foster Care Review Board, Loras College Board of Regents, Very Special Arts Iowa, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, Eyerly-Ball Board, YWCA Board, NAACP Board, Hospice of Central Iowa, Repertory Theater of Iowa, Drama Workshop, Iowa Arts Council, Holy Family Foundation Board, Des Moines Area Religious Council, Westminster House Board, Des Moines Tutoring Board, and Des Moines Optimist Club Charter Member. Current member of Friends of Des Moines Human Rights and past president, Candeo Board, Iowa Juneteenth Observation Board, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Graduate Chapter.

Birth and Residence

Born in 1947 in Des Moines. Raised and resides in Des Moines.

Family Members

Vidal Spaine, partner; one son.

No Photo
State Representative
Democrat
Bills & Committees
Teacher
Polk
87
01/09/2017 - 01/13/2019
32

Term

Serving fourth term in House.

Profession

Teacher.

Education

Received B.A. in drama/speech from Clarke College, Dubuque. Received M.A. in dramatic arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Memberships and Activities

Served on State Foster Care Review Board, Loras College Board of Regents, Very Special Arts Iowa, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, Eyerly-Ball Board, YWCA Board, NAACP Board, Hospice of Central Iowa, Repertory Theater of Iowa, Drama Workshop, Iowa Arts Council, Holy Family Foundation Board, Des Moines Area Religious Council, Westminister House Board, Des Moines Tutoring Board, and Des Moines Optimist Club Charter Member. Currently: Friends of Des Moines Human Rights and past president, Candeo Board, Iowa Juneteenth Observation Board, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Graduate Chapter.

Birth and Residence

Born in 1947 in Des Moines. Raised and resides in Des Moines.

Family Members

Vidal Spaine, partner; one son.

No Photo
State Representative
Democrat
Bills & Committees
Adjunct Instructor - DMACC
Polk
86
01/12/2015 - 01/08/2017
32

Term

Serving third term in House.

Profession

Teacher.

Education

Received B.A. in drama/speech from Clarke College, Dubuque. Received M.A. in dramatic art from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Memberships and Activities

Served on State Foster Care Review Board, Loras College Board of Regents, Very Special Arts Iowa, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, Eyerly-Ball Board, YWCA Board, NAACP Board, Hospice of Central Iowa, Repertory Theater of Iowa, Drama Workshop, Iowa Arts Council, Holy Family Foundation Board, Des Moines Area Religious Council, Westminister House Board, Des Moines Tutoring Board, and Des Moines Optimist Club Charter Member. Currently: Friends of Des Moines Human Rights and past president, Candeo Board, Iowa Juneteenth Observation Board, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Graduate Chapter.

Birth and Residence

Born in 1947 in Des Moines. Raised and resides in Des Moines.

Family Members

One son.

No Photo
State Representative
Democrat
Bills & Committees
Teacher
Polk
85
01/14/2013 - 01/11/2015
32

Term

Serving second term in House.

Profession

Teacher.

Education

Received B.A. in drama/speech from Clarke College, Dubuque. Received M.A. in dramatic art from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Memberships and Activities

Served on State Foster Care Review Board, Loras College Board of Regents, Very Special Arts Iowa, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, Eyerly-Ball Board, YWCA Board, NAACP Board, Hospice of Central Iowa, Repertory Theater of Iowa, Drama Workshop, Iowa Arts Council, Holy Family Foundation Board, and Des Moines Area Religious Council. Currently is president of Friends of Des Moines Human Rights.

Birth and Residence

Born in 1947 in Des Moines. Raised and resides in Des Moines.

Family Members

One son.

No Photo
State Representative
Democrat
Bills & Committees
Teacher
Polk
84
01/10/2011 - 01/13/2013
65

Term

Serving first term in House.

Profession

Teacher.

Education

Received B.A. in drama/speech from Clarke College, Dubuque. Received M.A. in dramatic art from the University of California, Santa Barbara, California.

Memberships and Activities

Served on State Foster Care Review Board, Loras College Board of Regents, Very Special Arts Iowa, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, Eyerly-Ball Board, YWCA Board, NAACP Board, Hospice of Central Iowa, Repertory Theater of Iowa, and Drama Workshop. Currently serves on Iowa Arts Council and Des Moines Human Rights Commission.

Birth and Residence

Born in 1947 in Des Moines. Raised and resides in Des Moines.

Family Members

One son.