Marilyn L. Ratkin

Social Justice

Marilyn Ratkin seeks out opportunities to improve the community through advocacy and direct service. During her 25-year professional career, she was engaged in social justice efforts and upon retirement, she focused her volunteer work on helping low-income women and families affected by domestic violence. Her passion and dedication has led her to leadership roles in many organizations: National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), serving on its Board since 2008; Ready Readers, serving on its Board for the past four years and as a volunteer reader and mentor; United Way’s Allocation Panel member for eight years; and Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund.

Marilyn’s premier accomplishment is spearheading the founding of a micro-lending program, The Healing Hearts Bank, part of an NCJW National Initiative. This Bank, designed to empower women impacted by domestic violence to become financially independent, has expanded to reach underserved women and families.

One of her favorite quotes is from Children’s Rights Activist, Marian Wright Edelman, “You are not obliged to win. You are obliged to keep trying to do the best you can every day.”