Coconino County, Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) honor longtime community supporter Ruth Eaton

FLAGSTAFF — On the same evening the Coconino County Board of Supervisors was recognizing Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month, it seemed only fitting that the county also recognized and honored a local community leader who has worked hard to ensure that the contributions of the local Hispanic community are also remembered.

The Board of Supervisors honored Ruth Eaton, former chair and member of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) during a ceremony held at the board’s meeting room on Sept. 15, 2026.

James Orloski, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Coconino County Manager’s Office, read the following letter about her contributions to CHAC and the local community, with members of the board and CHAC also expressing their gratitude for her years of service. Ruth Eaton then thanked the board and the community for the recognition. The remarks can be seen on the county’s YouTube site at the 3:20 mark.

Letter entered into the County record:

Recognition of Ruth Eaton’s Volunteer Service and Dedication to Coconino County

Coconino County proudly recognizes Ruth Eaton for more than 11 years of dedicated volunteer service, leadership and commitment to Coconino County and the community she has called home for many years.

Ruth’s involvement with the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) began in 2014, when she began volunteering her time to assist CHAC. In January 2015, she was formally appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve as a member. For more than a decade, Ruth was a dedicated and engaged member of CHAC, serving until April 2026. During her tenure, she took on several leadership roles, including Chair and Vice Chair, providing thoughtful guidance and helping strengthen connections between the County and the diverse communities it serves.

From the beginning, Ruth demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to CHAC and its mission. Fellow CHAC members describe her as a “vital and dedicated addition” to the organization, noting that she was involved even before her formal appointment. Once she became a member, Ruth consistently brought her energy, creativity and willingness to help to virtually every aspect of CHAC’s work.

Ruth became one of CHAC’s unofficial historians and documentarians, working alongside her husband, Richard, to preserve CHAC’s history through photographs, video photo loops and photo displays. She painstakingly created large photo boards and display posters highlighting CHAC’s activities and community engagement, many of which became part of CHAC’s annual breakfast celebrations. Through this work, Ruth helped ensure that the stories, accomplishments and relationships built through CHAC’s service would be remembered and celebrated.

Her commitment was equally evident in CHAC’s community outreach. Ruth could always be counted on to lend a hand at events ranging from Armed Forces Day and Fourth of July parades to food drives, the Coconino County Fair and numerous other outreach activities. She also played an important role in updating CHAC’s marketing materials and bringing issues of community concern to the attention of CHAC members and County officials. Her fellow members have described her as an outstanding ambassador for CHAC – someone whose enthusiasm, reliability and genuine care for the community strengthened CHAC.

Ruth also helped lead CHAC’s student awards efforts, demonstrating her particular passion for recognizing and encouraging young people. Ruth also represented CHAC on the inaugural art selection panel for the Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park multicultural art installation, contributing her perspective to a project that celebrates community, culture and public art.

Ruth’s commitment to Coconino County extends beyond CHAC. Since 2020, she has served on the Employee Appeals Board, contributing her time, experience and perspective to support the county and its employees.

As a longtime resident of Coconino County, Ruth has also demonstrated a deep and enduring commitment to giving back to her local community. Her many other contributions include volunteering with Northern Arizona University’s Hispanic Convocation Committee and participating in the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) and the Hispanic Leadership Institute West.

Ruth’s dedication to service has been a hallmark of her professional and personal life. During her career with Catholic Charities in Maricopa County, she served in numerous community service and leadership roles, including on Catholic Charities’ Ethics Committee and the 2003 Education Subcommittee of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Child Protective Services Reform. She was also a founding board member of the Arizona Fathers and Families Coalition.

Ruth’s career encompassed college instruction, administration, management and consulting experience, and she retired after a long career with Catholic Charities. At the heart of Ruth’s approach to service has been her belief that Latino leaders have a responsibility to help cultivate the next generation of leaders through mentoring, connecting and volunteering. Throughout her years of service, Ruth has lived that philosophy by generously sharing her time, knowledge and experience with others.

Coconino County is grateful for Ruth’s years of leadership and service to CHAC and celebrates the lasting impact she has made on the community.