Ruth Smith

My name was Ruth Lundberg when I joined Business & Professional Toastmasters, Club 2207, in January 1984.  I had just moved back to San Antonio after living for ten years on a very small undeveloped Caribbean island.  Finding a job and some friends was high on my list of priorities and I had been told that Toastmasters offered great networking opportunities, just what I needed!  On February 24, 1984, I gave my Icebreaker speech and completed the Competent Communicator Award near the end of 1985.  I accepted an officer role at the first opportunity, and was elected Club President in 1987.  During that term as President, I received "Outstanding Club President " awards for Area, Division, and District.

On March 10, 1996, I married Bob Miller, and started using my middle name, Elaine, since Bob wasn't fond of the name "Ruth."  For the next twenty years I was known as either Elaine Miller or Lanie (as Bob called me).  I continued to enjoy the Toastmaster experiences and especially my home club, B&P.  I lead many Youth Leadership and Speechcraft workshops, and held officer positions, including a second term as Club President and a couple terms as Area Governor.  I finally "got busy" and earned my Distinguished Toastmaster award in April 2003.  When my husband died of a heart attack at the end of 2007, my Toastmaster family was very supportive. 

Once again my identity changed when I married Wayne Smith in 2015.  Now I am Ruth Elaine Smith.  Toastmasters remains a very important part of my life and I am excited about serving in my new role as District Speechcraft Director.