RE.11 - Co-designate Se 3rd Ruth Shack Way
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CO-DESIGNATING SOUTHEAST 3RD STREET BETWEEN SOUTHEAST 2ND AVENUE AND BISCAYNE BOULEVARD AS “RUTH SHACK WAY” IN HONOR OF RUTH SHACK; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO EFFECTUATE THE CO-DESIGNATION; AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
July 23, 2026
Sponsors
Higgins
Gabela
Pardo
Escalona
Rosado
King
Vote Details
ADOPTED
Motion to: Adopt
Mover: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
Seconder: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
Ayes (5):
Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado, King
Enactment Number: R-26-0336
Department: Commissioners and Mayor
Category: Elected Official Item
WHEREAS, Ruth Shack was born in Long Island, New York in 1931 and moved to South Florida during her honeymoon in 1952; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Shack attended the University of Virginia and ultimately earned her Bachelor of Arts in humanities from the Barry University in 1970 and a Master of Arts in Social Science with specialization in Urban Sociology from the University of Colorado, leading to her teaching sociology and political science at Florida International University; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Shack was a distinguished civic leader, public servant, and advocate who devoted more than seven decades to improving the quality of life for residents of Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Shack served three (3) terms as a Metro-Dade County Commissioner beginning in 1976 thru 1986, where she played a significant role in shaping public policy and advancing equity and inclusion in the community; and
WHEREAS, in 1977, she sponsored an amendment to the Miami-Dade Human Rights Ordinance to prohibit discrimination in the workplace, housing and other places based on sexual orientation, demonstrating her leadership as an early and courageous advocate for LGBTQ rights; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure in public office, Ruth Shack also sponsored the County’s first historic preservation ordinance and helped secure approval for the 'Surrounded Islands' public art installation in 1983 that surrounded the eleven (11) islands in Biscayne Bay with hot pink fabric; and
WHEREAS, following her public service, Ruth Shack continued her impact as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Dade Community Foundation, now known as The Miami Foundation, diversifying and reaching out to multicultural communities for its board, staff and grantmaking; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Shack was widely recognized as a pioneering leader in philanthropy, the arts, and community-building, and was instrumental in Miami’s evolution into a major cultural destination; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Shack passed away on May 24, 2026, at the age of 94, leaving behind a lasting legacy of public service and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate and fitting to honor Ruth Shack’s extraordinary contributions by co-designating a portion of Southeast 3rd Street in her name;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. The City Commission hereby co-designates Southeast 3rd Street between Southeast 2nd Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard as “Ruth Shack Way,” in recognition of her many contributions to the community.
Section 3. The City Manager is directed to take all necessary steps to implement this co-designation, including the installation of appropriate signage.
Section 4. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the Departments of Police, Fire‑Rescue, and Solid Waste; the Miami‑Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works; the Miami‑Dade County Commissioner representing District 5; the United States Postal Service; and, if applicable, the Florida Department of Transportation, District Six.
Section 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
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WHEREAS, Ruth Shack attended the University of Virginia and ultimately earned her Bachelor of Arts in humanities from the Barry University in 1970 and a Master of Arts in Social Science with specialization in Urban Sociology from the University of Colorado, leading to her teaching sociology and political science at Florida International University; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Shack was a distinguished civic leader, public servant, and advocate who devoted more than seven decades to improving the quality of life for residents of Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Shack served three (3) terms as a Metro-Dade County Commissioner beginning in 1976 thru 1986, where she played a significant role in shaping public policy and advancing equity and inclusion in the community; and
WHEREAS, in 1977, she sponsored an amendment to the Miami-Dade Human Rights Ordinance to prohibit discrimination in the workplace, housing and other places based on sexual orientation, demonstrating her leadership as an early and courageous advocate for LGBTQ rights; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure in public office, Ruth Shack also sponsored the County’s first historic preservation ordinance and helped secure approval for the 'Surrounded Islands' public art installation in 1983 that surrounded the eleven (11) islands in Biscayne Bay with hot pink fabric; and
WHEREAS, following her public service, Ruth Shack continued her impact as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Dade Community Foundation, now known as The Miami Foundation, diversifying and reaching out to multicultural communities for its board, staff and grantmaking; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Shack was widely recognized as a pioneering leader in philanthropy, the arts, and community-building, and was instrumental in Miami’s evolution into a major cultural destination; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Shack passed away on May 24, 2026, at the age of 94, leaving behind a lasting legacy of public service and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate and fitting to honor Ruth Shack’s extraordinary contributions by co-designating a portion of Southeast 3rd Street in her name;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. The City Commission hereby co-designates Southeast 3rd Street between Southeast 2nd Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard as “Ruth Shack Way,” in recognition of her many contributions to the community.
Section 3. The City Manager is directed to take all necessary steps to implement this co-designation, including the installation of appropriate signage.
Section 4. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the Departments of Police, Fire‑Rescue, and Solid Waste; the Miami‑Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works; the Miami‑Dade County Commissioner representing District 5; the United States Postal Service; and, if applicable, the Florida Department of Transportation, District Six.
Section 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
- 
- ## Choose a File
- ## Properties
- Include Options
- Visibility
- ### Are you sure you want to delete this attachment? |
Powered by [Granicus](https://granicus.com/)
- [Legislative Files](https://miamifl.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?ID=19557#)
- [Legal Notices](https://miamifl.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?ID=19557#)
- [Some other Sort of Thing](https://miamifl.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?ID=19557#)