SANDPOINT — “From almost the very day that Ruth Wimberly moved to Sandpoint she has been involved in this community,” Barbara Merritt wrote in her nomination letter to Women Honoring Women Committee. “She ‘hit the ground running’ and never looked back or varied in any way her commitment to this little spot of heaven.”

And heaven only knows how Wimberly crams all of her community volunteer activities into a meager 24 hours per day, but it’s because of this activism that she has been chosen Woman of Wisdom 2016. Also being honored this year are Carolyn Gleason, Marguerite Suttmeier, Leata Judd and Brenda Hammond.

Wimberly is a human resources professional. With several clients in the Sandpoint area, she manages recruitment and benefits for companies who aren’t large enough to have an in-house department. Then she spends her “free time” volunteering.

“It would be easier to list the groups in the community that Ruth has not supported than the ones she has supported,” Wimberly’s husband, Dan, wrote. “She has volunteered at Kinderhaven, serving as a board member for eight years and president of the board for two years. She has been a member of Angels Over Sandpoint for over 10 years and managed the Angels’ Back to School Backpack program for several years.

“She has volunteered at the Angels’ Follies production both as an entertainer and support staff. She has volunteered at “Lost in the ’50s directing traffic and manning a stop on the Poker Run. Every August she has volunteered at the Festival at Sandpoint. She has volunteered to perform rescue kayak duties in support of Long Bridge Swim for several years. She volunteers at St. Joseph’s Church soup kitchen on a regular basis.”

Dan Wimberly also told the committee that his wife conducts mock job interviews for high school students to get them prepared for facing the real thing in real life. And that she has also provided strategic and conflict resolution for several non-profit organizations.

He went on to say that she is a member of Community Assistance League, volunteering at Bizarre Bazaar each month and has just recently joined the board of the Bonner County History Museum.

Other nomination letters mentioned how Wimberly organized a work crew to clean the newly built Habitat for Humanity homes and others talked about her involvement with the Chamber of Commerce.

Whew. Perhaps the summary written by Lynn Watts says it best: “Ruth is a smiling Energizer bunny — always going full speed ahead to make a positive impact on her community. She uses her intellect, leadership skills and humor to get others to join her in ‘doing good.’ Ruth brings a multiplying effect to any endeavor she undertakes by inspiring others to join in. She leads by example and many of us, like myself, are better people because we follow her lead.”

The 2016 Women of Wisdom will be honored at a Gala Luncheon hosted by the Women Honoring Women Committee on Saturday, June 18 at 11 a.m. at Tango Café in the Columbia Bank Building. Contact Diane Stockton for reservations at 208-290-6362 or at [email protected].

To be nominated for Woman of Wisdom, a candidate must be 65 years or older. She demonstrates vision, collaboration, leadership, grace, courage, integrity and a love of learning. She shows a commitment to the Bonner County community and has had a positive impact on it. She is an inspiration to others and an example for future generations of women.

The 2016 Women Honoring Women committee members are: Kari Saccomanno, chair; Diane Arrants; Kathy Chambers; Patti Clemons; Kathy Conger; Barbara Eacret; Phyllis Foro; Deanna Harris; Alana Hatcher; Bette Heffner; Kathy Hubbard; Julie Jurenka; Pat Lewis; Sally Lowry; Laurie Mattila, Jeralyn Mire; Marlene Rorke; Sandy Ross; Patty Schwartz; Joyce Smith; Diane Stockton; Sally Transue and Linda Van Dellen.