Board President
Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Ruth Negrón-Gaines is an active Latina who has dedicated much of her time to the empowerment of her community and support of workers. She is a bi-lingual, licensed, masters-prepared social worker with a concentration on policy, administration and research. Her philosophical perspective is that when people, especially women, people of color and workers, stay out of politics, they give others the power to make choices for them.
Ruth Negrón-Gaines is the former Executive Director of PRONTO of Long Island, a not for profit human services community outreach and distribution center located in Bay Shore. Her work centered on client services, human resources, and organizational performance.
Before her retirement in 2002, Ruth served the New York State Office of Mental Health at Pilgrim State Psychiatric Center for thirty-seven years in various positions. One of her areas of expertise is Intensive Case management, supporting people in following through with service plans for becoming self sufficient, setting other goals they need to achieve, and helping them to bring about wellness and success in their lives.
Ruth is the former Regional Coordinator for the N.Y.S. Public Employees Federation (PEF), Region 12 (Long Island) representing scientific, professional and technical workers and is the first Latina to be elected three times by the general membership to this position.
Ruth is an energetic, articulate advocate for the concerns of families and children residing in communities on Long Island. She partners with others in continuing efforts to secure social and economic justice for all New Yorkers.
She strongly believes that pride, self-respect, believing in oneself, hard work and commitment to God and family are the keys to prosperity. She strongly believes that women, people of color and workers have the desire to achieve and the willingness to work hard.
During her public career, Negrón-Gaines served as a volunteer in a variety of posts and has received numerous honors and awards.
