For five decades, if there was a decision to be made that would affect equal and fair treatment in Worcester’s schools, educator and community activist Ruth Rodriguez Fay was sure to be there.
“She was always there, standing up for people’s rights, making sure there was equity in education,” City Council Vice Chairman Khrystian King said. “She had a really dignified way and at times, a passionate way, of bringing issues to people’s attention. If you disagreed with her, she would come back with more facts, more data.”
Rodriguez, who died Aug. 18 at 80, dedicated much of her life to improving education and seeking racial equity for Worcester’s children, particularly for Latino children and for those who were not native English speakers.
‘She never stopped listening’
Born in Dominican Republic, she moved to Massachusetts with her family as a young child, and after graduating college, she moved to Worcester, where she remained for the rest of her life…