Ruby Diamond
F o u n d a t i o n
Who Is Ruby Diamond?
Ruby Diamond’s family accumulated their wealth around the end of the Civil War when they owned dry goods stores and cotton plantations. Ruby graduated from Florida State College in 1906 with a chemistry degree. She inherited the family business and properties upon her father’s death in 1914. She sold the store but retained the downtown properties for several decades.
Political Activist
Ms. Diamond was also a political activist and fought for lower taxes and racial equality. She and her brother Sydney, along with other members of the Jewish community, founded Temple Israel in 1937.
Charity
Ms. Diamond preferred that her wealth help those in need, and she contributed to many charities in Tallahassee and across Florida and was a generous donor to more than thirty-seven organizations including childhood education programs, nursing homes, and the Salvation Army to name a few.
Ms. Diamond was a generous benefactor to Florida State University and established two scholarships for disadvantaged scholars. She supported the Alumni Association and the Department of Educational Research, Development, and Foundations.
Featured Beneficiary
Florida State University
Ms. Diamond was a generous benefactor to Florida State University and established two scholarships for disadvantaged scholars. She supported the Alumni Association and the Department of Educational Research, Development, and Foundations.
In 1970, for her contributions to the university, Florida State University expressed its appreciation to Ms. Diamond by naming its largest auditorium, located inside the Westcott Building, in her honor.
In 1971, she donated property in Tallahassee worth $100,000 to the university
In 2010, the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall was reopened after a $38 million renovation.
