Driven by her desire to help others, Ruth McKim has traversed a variety of fields in the hope of making a difference. She initially decided to pursue art therapy, first as the director of art therapy at the Kentucky Baptist Hospital and then as the co-director of art therapy at Norton-Children’s Hospitals Inc. and the director of art therapy at NKC Hospitals. She loved the feeling of seeing art make people feel better, but ultimately decided to go in another direction. From 1970 to 1947, Ms. McKim became a tutor at the Kentucky Association for Specific Perceptual-Motor Disability, and in 1976, Ms. McKim became a researcher for Board Aldermen and public relations staff for the Department of Consumer Affairs. She stayed in the latter role until 1978, and then transferred within the organization to become a realtor associate until 1986. At that point, she assumed her last professional position: financial planner at National Life Vermont, which she held until 2004.
Outside of her career, Ms. McKim was very active in her community. She was a volunteer and art donor for PBS, a coordinator of Louisville Food Day, a voter registration canvasser, and a secretary and treasurer for St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church. She also participated with the Republican National Committee, the Republican Presidential Task Force, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Ms. McKim’s hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. She was honored to be named a scholar of the Hite Art Institute at the University of Louisville and of the Kentucky Real Estate Commission in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and to receive the Republican Presidential Legion of Merit Medal from the U.S. Army. Additionally, she was featured in numerous editions of Who’s Who in Finance and Business, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who of American Women.
Now in retirement, Ms. McKim enjoys oil and acrylic painting and writing. She already published “Banking Survey,” and is currently working on a primarily biographical book. Looking to the future, she hopes to show her art around the world.
Ms. McKim prepared for her endeavors by earning a master’s degree in public information, summa cum laude, a Master of Science in public administration, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisville. To keep in touch with her peers, she joined prominent professional organizations like the Institute Community Development Association, Kentucky Artists and Craftsmen, the Louisville Craftsman’s Guild, and the University of Louisville Alumni Association.
