Ruth Thweatt

Ruth Thweatt was awarded Life Membership in BOMA International in 1974. She was also awarded Honorary Membership in BOMA Atlanta on March 5, 1974. She was the first woman to receive Honorary Membership in BOMA Atlanta and the first woman member of BOMA Atlanta to receive Life Membership in BOMA International.

According to the March 5, 1974, BOMA Atlanta Board of Directors meeting minutes, “In recognition of long service and loyal participation, the grade of Honorary Member of Building Owners and Managers of Atlanta, Inc. was bestowed upon Mrs. Ruth Thweatt, formerly manager of the Medical Arts Building, by unanimous action of the Board of Directors. This presentation will be made at the May Annual Meeting.”

The Board of Directors then took further action, “that the unanimous endorsement of the Board of Directors of Building Owners and Managers of Atlanta, Inc. be forwarded to Building Owners and Managers Association International requesting that consideration be given to the presentation of a Life Membership for Mrs. Ruth Thweatt by the appropriate committee of BOMA International.”

According to the February 7, 1997, issue of The Atlanta Constitution, Ruth Wolfe Thweatt was born October 31, 1907, in Asheville, North Carolina, and died February 5, 1997. She graduated from Marietta High School and Draughons Business College. According to the obituary, “Ruth began working in the manager’s office of the Medical Arts Building in 1934 and became manager of the building (located at 384 Peachtree Street) in November 1963. She held this position until her retirement in 1972. Ruth was a Past President of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Secretaries Association and in the earl 1960s, she was the only lady to be an active member of Building Owners and Managers of Atlanta. Because of her outstanding contributions to the office building industry, she was given honorary membership in the Atlanta Chapter of BOMA and in Building Owners and Managers Association International.”

The February 8, 1997, issue of The Atlanta Constitution, wrote that in retirement Ruth was a volunteer for the American Heart Association and referred to her as a “management trailblazer” and “a pioneer for women in Atlanta’s commercial building management industry.”

Ruth’s daughter Carol Huey was a long-term BOMA Atlanta staff member and son-in-law Stewart Huey served as BOMA Atlanta Executive Director from 1970 to 2001. Ruth’s husband Harry Thweatt was recognized with the 1963 BOMA Atlanta George R. Richardson Award.