Ruth Montgomery

A graduate of Science Hill High School in Johnson City, she received a bachelor’s degree from ETSU in 1949 and went on to earn a master of science degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 1952.

Teaching at several schools, including Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport and ETSU, plus many years as a volunteer in church, school, and civic organizations helped prepare her to seek elected office. She entered the political arena, first as a magistrate in Sullivan County Quarterly Court from 1972-78, then as a commissioner with the Sullivan County Board of Commissioners from 1978-80. Ready to move on to the state level, she was sent to the Tennessee House of Representatives by the citizens of District 2 for eight years, and then served as assistant minority leader of the 95 th General Assembly. From 1988-92, she was a state senator.

Deciding it was time to turn her attention from Nashville to her home in Kingsport, Montgomery saw things around her that needed attention. This led to her election in 1995 as the first woman mayor of Kingsport, where her communication skills and practical approach to civic needs served her well.

The 1988 ETSU Outstanding Alumna now has more time to spend with grandchildren and to volunteer her assistance with Leadership Kingsport, United Way, Rotary, the University of Tennessee President’s Trust, the Greater Kingsport Area Republican Women’s Board, and First Broad Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport. She and her husband, dentist Dr. Robert H. Montgomery, are the parents of Rob and Randall and the grandparents of Alex and Andrew.