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Activism

"We honor Ann's tireless efforts to make the world a kinder place and thank her for inspired leadership in our Artists Against Hunger & Poverty Program -World Hunger Year
Ann Ruckert has always believed in the importance of giving back to the community. When she was younger, she worked tirelessly as a grassroots activist. As she became entrenched in the music business, she then became a board member of several significant nonprofits. For Ms. Ruckert, the position entails significant financial and political responsibility. "You either give it, get it, or get off the board," she says.

Ann Ruckert has thousands of contacts in the industry, from decades of performing, recording, networking, and marching. She knows the foundations to approach for funding, which organizations are most efficient with their budgets, and finally, has the will and determination to link them together.

JazzMobile
Board of Directors, from 1982-1998

JazzMobile, an organization near and dear to Ann Ruckert's heart, has made it its mission to make jazz available to the masses. It hosts concerts around the country in low income and rural neighborhoods, and offers free or low cost workshops on jazz fundementals.

NARAS
(National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences)
Governor, Trustee, Vice President of New York chapter; Chair of Education Committee; 4-year member of TV committee for the Grammy Awards Show, from 1982-2003.

NARAS is the organization that produces the Grammys.

Schomberg Center for Black Studies
Serves as commissioner for this prestigious division of the New York Public Library, devoting special attention to the Jazz Archives.

World Hunger Year
Board of Directors

World Hunger Year is of the organizations that gives the most to charities and the least to administration. It has the largest hunger-related database in the world. In just one year, it raised money for more than 3500 musicians affected by Katrina.

Jazz Foundation of America
Co-founder, with pianists Dr. Billy Taylor and Herb Storfer, and Member, Board of Directors.

The Jazz Foundation was the first organization to provide emergency assistance and long term support to veteran jazz and blues musicians across the country. Ann not only helped found the organization, but worked tirelessly to raise money on its behalf by drawing on her extensive connections.
Honor letter from Patrick Leahy

Visit Jazz Foundation's website

"The reason that so many people are depressed is that they have no reason to get up in the morning. If they say that they are bored, it usually means that they are boring."