Ruth Ann Minner
Explore the life and legacy of Ruth Ann Minner (1935–2021), the first female governor of Delaware, a public servant who championed education, health, environment, and women’s opportunities in state politics.
Introduction
Ruth Ann Minner (née Coverdale; January 17, 1935 – November 4, 2021) was an American politician and businesswoman best known as the 72nd Governor of Delaware (2001–2009). She holds the distinction of being the first woman elected to that office in the state. Before becoming governor, she served in the Delaware House and Senate, and as lieutenant governor. Her personal story—rising from early hardship to lead her state—resonated with many as a tale of perseverance, public service, and breaking barriers.
In the following sections, we trace her childhood and challenges, her political rise, major initiatives and positions, legacy and influence, her character and values, some of her notable quotes or mottos, and lessons from her life.
Early Life and Family
Ruth Ann Coverdale was born on January 17, 1935, in Milford, Delaware (in Kent County) to Mary Ann (Lewis), a homemaker, and Samuel Coverdale, a sharecropper.
Growing up in a rural, economically modest environment, Minner left high school at age 16 to help support her family by working on the family farm.
At 17, she married Frank Ingram, and the couple had three children: Frank Jr., Wayne, and Gary. In 1967, when she was 32, her husband Frank died suddenly of a heart attack, leaving her a single mother of three.
Determined to continue, she earned her GED in 1968 and attended Delaware Technical and Community College while working two jobs to sustain her family.
In 1969 she married Roger Minner, and the couple co-operated a towing business, the Roger Minner Wrecker Service. Roger Minner passed away in 1991 from lung cancer.
These early years shaped her sense of responsibility, resilience, and connection to working families.
Political Rise & Career
Entry into Public Service
Minner’s political career began modestly. She served as a clerk in the Delaware House of Representatives and later worked as a receptionist in the office of Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt.
In 1974, she ran for and was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives as part of the so-called “Watergate Class,” a wave of reform-minded candidates. She served in the House from 1975 through 1982. During her House tenure, she became Majority Whip and chaired the Bond Bill Committee and the Rules Committee. Among her reforms was removing a procedural rule that allowed representatives to table roll-call votes in certain situations.
In 1982, she was elected to the Delaware State Senate, serving from 1983 to 1992. While in the Senate, she sponsored the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Act, which protected about 30,000 acres and led to the formation of the Delaware Open Space Council.
Lieutenant Governor
In 1992, Minner ran for Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, defeating Republican Philip D. Cloutier in the general election with about 60.9% of the vote. She served as lieutenant governor from January 19, 1993 to January 3, 2001. In that role, she also chaired the Minner Commission on Government Reorganization and Effectiveness.
Governor of Delaware
By 2000, Minner sought to succeed Tom Carper, who was then elected to the U.S. Senate. She won the Democratic nomination and defeated Republican John M. Burris in the general election. She took office as governor on January 3, 2001, initially to fill the remainder of Carper’s term (he had resigned early) and then began her first full term. She was re-elected in 2004 (though with a narrower margin) and served until January 20, 2009, when Jack Markell succeeded her.
As governor, Minner adopted a pragmatic, centrist style. She focused on education reform, public health (especially cancer reduction), environmental protection, and job creation.
One hallmark of her term was the Clean Indoor Air Act (2002), which banned smoking in restaurants, bars, and certain other public places, substantially reducing indoor pollutants.
Another signature initiative was the Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) Scholarship program (2005), offering two years of free college tuition to high school graduates who met criteria.
She also opposed expanding gambling, backed gun safety measures (such as trigger locks), and supported adding sexual orientation to Delaware’s non-discrimination statutes.
During her tenure, she maintained balanced budgets each year and preserved Delaware’s AAA bond rating. She was respected by both Democrats and Republicans for her consensus approach and “common-sense” governing style.
Legacy & Influence
-
Minner was the first woman elected governor of Delaware (though some women had previously held the office temporarily).
-
She inspired women and girls in Delaware and beyond to pursue public service and leadership roles.
-
Her environmental conservation efforts, especially land protection through the Open Space initiatives, have had lasting impact in preserving Delaware’s natural heritage.
-
Her emphasis on education, especially the SEED program, is part of her enduring imprint on Delaware’s higher education accessibility.
-
Her governance style—pragmatic, fiscally responsible, socially aware—helped build trust across party lines.
-
Even after leaving office, she remained a figure of respect and mentoring for public servants and civic leaders.
Personality, Values & Motivations
Ruth Ann Minner was known to be down-to-earth, approachable, and committed to working with constituents at all levels—“in the trenches,” as she often put it. Her motto (often quoted by others) spoke to her roots:
“For Ruth Ann Minner, farmer, gardener and daughter of a sharecropper, it is simply this:
Work hard. Do the right thing. And leave things better than you found them.”
Her personal journey—from leaving school early, being widowed young, raising children, and working two jobs while continuing education—imbued her with empathy for those facing hardship and a belief in opportunity through effort.
She valued consensus, believed in incremental change, and maintained that government should serve its people responsibly. Her insistence on balancing budgets, preserving Delaware’s credit, and overseeing efficient governance reflect that ethos.
Selected Quotes & Mottos
While she was not known for many published aphorisms, the following is frequently cited:
“Don’t tell me who is holding you back. There is only one person who can hold you back—and that’s you. If you’re willing to work and put in the time and the energy, you can accomplish anything you want to and there’s nobody out there to stop you.”
— from a 2020 interview for the podcast Whip Count
Her oft-repeated “work hard, do the right thing, leave things better than you found them” also encapsulates her philosophy.
Lessons from Ruth Ann Minner’s Life
From Ruth Ann Minner’s story, several lessons emerge:
-
Perseverance through adversity
Her early life challenges—dropping out of school, widowhood, single parenting—did not deter but rather fueled her resolve. -
Education is never too late
She earned her GED and attended college while working—showing it’s possible even under pressure. -
Local roots matter
Her deep connection to Delaware, its people, land, and values grounded her public service in authenticity. -
Governance by consensus
She showed that working across political divides is both possible and beneficial for pragmatic results. -
Legacy through incremental work
Her achievements (environmental protections, education access, public health) were built steadily, not overnight. -
Representation matters
As the first woman governor of Delaware, she opened doors and symbolic space for women’s leadership in her state.
Conclusion
Ruth Ann Minner’s life is a testament to resilience, public service, and breaking barriers through steady effort. From humble beginnings to becoming Delaware’s first woman governor, she left a lasting mark on education, environment, and governance, guided by a simple but powerful creed: Work hard. Do the right thing. Leave things better than you found them.