Ruth Wyler Messinger (born November 6, 1940)[3] is a former American political leader in New York City and a member of the Democratic Party.

[citation needed] Messinger was a delegate to the 1980 Democratic National Convention and served on the New York City Council from 1978 to 1989, representing the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

[5] A political liberal, Messinger was known for her advocacy on behalf of public schools, efforts to achieve compromise between developers and neighborhood activists, and her aggressive media work.

During her 1997 campaign, she was nearly forced into a Democratic primary runoff with Reverend Al Sharpton, but avoided it by receiving 40% of the vote during a recount.

[citation needed] From 1998 until 2016 she was President and CEO of American Jewish World Service before transitioning to an Ambassador role with the organization.