- Born
- Died
- Birth nameRuth Noemí Fernández Cortada
- Nicknames
- El alma de Puerto Rico hecha canción
- La Negra de Ponce
- The Rosa Parks of Puerto Rico
- Titi Ruth
- Ruth Fernández was born on May 23, 1919 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She was an actress, known for Caña brava (1966), Frente al destino (1964) and The Fiend of Dope Island (1960). She was married to Tito Henríquez and Juan Guilbe. She died on January 9, 2012 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- SpousesTito Henríquez (divorced)Juan Guilbe (divorced)
- Was elected Senator for the District of Ponce in 1972. She was the first and only singer ever elected to the Senate of Puerto Rico.
- Received many honors and decorations from various nations including the Vasco Núñez de Balboa medal from Panama; the Order of Francisco Miranda from Venezuela and the a city proclamation from Washington, District of Columbia, USA declaring "Ruth Fernández Day.".
- She was considered by many to be the 'Rosa Parks of Puerto Rico' when she refused to enter the Vanderbilt Hotel in San Juan through it's back entrance because she was a woman of color. The owners of the hotel stated that blacks had to enter through the rear of the building, but during one evening where she was set to perform at the hotel's ballroom, she marched into the hotel via it's front entrance. After this event, the hotel changed their policy.
- Was good friends with world renowned cellist Pau Casals. He composed the song "Ven a mí" ("Come to Me") for her.
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