Ruth Anne Boggs

Education

Ruth Boggs continuously championed the cause of early childhood education in Manteca, advising and encouraging others who desired to establish preschools and day care centers. Ruth was involved with the education of children for over a half-century. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 1943 and Nursing School in 1945, she served on the Calla Elementary School Board from 1951 to 1965 when Manteca Unified School District was formed. Ruth and her husband Wayne had five children, Robert, Thom, John, Ruthanne, and Margaret. As the mother of five children she was active in the Calla Mothers Club and served as a 4-H leader for many years, including 25 years as the Community Leader of the Calla 4-H Club. In 1966, she was instrumental in establishing Humpty Dumpty Preschool as part of the Manteca Adult School. Humpty Dumpty was a parent participation preschool that included a weekly parenting class. Ruth taught the parenting class from inception and took over as the preschool teacher in 1967 where she remained for 16 years. Ruth always encouraged dialog among preschool directors and day care facilities, organizing luncheons and speakers to everyone’s benefit. She strongly emphasized the social aspect of preschool education. In addition to teaching, Ruth served on the Delta College Early Childhood Education Advisory Board that initiated plans for present child care facilities on campus. She was a lobbyist in Sacramento for the National Association for the Education of Young Children and volunteered at the Family Resource and Referral Center. She also belonged to the Central Valley Association for the Education of Young Children where she edited the newsletter for over 10 years. Ruth has done so much for so many and has been recognized by several organizations including Delta Zeta Lota in 1982 as First Lady of the Year.