ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Maryland flag has been lowered to mark the passing of a former state senator.

Governor Wes Moore ordered the Maryland flag to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

The flag is being lowered to honor former State Senator Ida G. Ruben, who passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024.

From msa.maryland.gov:

Born in Washington, DC, January 7, 1929. Attended Washington, DC, public schools; Roosevelt High School, Washington, DC. Past president, international board member, treasurer, vice-president, B’nai B’rith Women. Past commissioner, National Anti-Defamation League (national advisory committee). Maryland Democratic Party Ethics Committee. Democratic precinct chair, 1967-74. Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 1992, 1996, 2000. Member, Democratic clubs. Active in all national, State and local election campaigns since 1963. Board of Directors, Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, 1986-. Board of Trustees, Adventist Health Care Mid-Atlantic, 1986-. Member, Washington Adventist Hospital Foundation, 1986-. Board member, CHI Centers, 1986-. Award, Centers for the Handicapped, 1987, 1991. “Best of” award for most effective public official, Silver Spring Record, 1990. Woman of Valor award, B’nai B’rith Women, 1992. 100 Most Powerful Women, Washington Magazine, 1994, 1997. Carmen S. Turner Award, Montgomery County Dept. of Transportation, 1995. Legislator of the Year, Montgomery County Medical Society, 1995. Legislator of the Year, National Commission Against Drunk Driving, 1995. Vince & Larry Award, Maryland Committee for Safety Belt Use, Inc., 1997. Appreciation Award, Adventist HealthCare & Washington Adventist Hospital, 1998. Leadership Award, Olney Theater Center, 1998. Legislator of the Year, Greater Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, 1999. Legislative Appreciation Award, Maryland Association of Community Services, 1999. Highway Safety Hero, Advocates for Highway Safety, 1999. Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 1999, 2001, 2004 (Circle of Excellence). Appreciation Award, American Lung Association, 2000. Honoree, Maryland College of Art & Design, 2000. Public Service Award, Washington Regional Alcohol Program, 2001. Public Policy Leadership Award, American Cancer Society, State of Maryland, 2002. Distinguished Public Service Award, American Lung Association of Maryland, 2003. Distinguished Legislator Award, Maryland Impaired Driver Coalition, 2003. S. Robert Cohen Award, Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, 2004. “Arts Stars” Award for vision, leadership, and determination in helping to establish Arts and Entertainment District in Silver Spring, Montgomery College, 2004. 100 Most Powerful Women of Washington, Washingtonian Magazine, 2006. Widow; four sons; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. Died in Bethesda, Maryland, November 1, 2024.