Betsy Ruhe has been a South End resident for more than 20 years and was elected to Louisville Metro Council in 2022 to represent District 21. In her first term, she has built a reputation for being present, responsive, and focused on delivering practical results for South Louisville neighborhoods that have too often been overlooked.

Service and Education

A veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve who served during Desert Storm, Betsy brings a strong sense of duty, discipline, and follow-through to public service. That commitment carried through a decades-long career working with special needs children after earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville and a master’s degree from Bellarmine University in Learning and Behavior Disorders. In 2017, she earned a second master’s degree in Sustainability from the University of Louisville. Betsy retired from Jefferson County Public Schools in 2021.

Community Leadership

Before running for office, Betsy was deeply involved in neighborhood leadership and hands-on problem-solving. She served on the Beechmont Neighborhood Association board from 2011 to 2022 and has long volunteered her time to address quality-of-life issues block by block — from unsafe streets to neglected public spaces. She currently serves on the Parks Advisory Council and has worked with community groups across the South End to strengthen neighborhood connections and shared spaces.

Betsy is also the founder of the Orchards of Beechmont and Sustainable South Louisville. In 2013, Betsy began working with the State to donate the vacant lot on 3rd Street next to the Watterson for it to be developed into a public orchard and gathering space. Trees were planted in 2021, and work is ongoing to develop the orchard for public use.

Metro Council Service

On Metro Council, Betsy is known for hands-on constituent service and accessibility. She is in the office nearly every day, responding directly to calls and emails and working closely with city departments to resolve concerns ranging from illegal dumping and drainage issues to unsafe traffic conditions and property complaints. Residents consistently point to her follow-through and willingness to show up in person when problems arise.

Betsy serves on these committees:

• Parks & Sustainability

• Planning & Zoning

• Public Safety

Her focus is on safer streets, responsible development, and neighborhood stability. She has helped move long-delayed infrastructure projects forward, including road paving, sidewalk repairs, traffic calming, and safety improvements in high-need areas. Her work emphasizes practical fixes that make neighborhoods safer and more accessible for families, seniors, and pedestrians.

Public safety is a top priority for Betsy. She works regularly with LMPD commanders and public safety officials to address crime trends, increase patrols in high-call areas, and improve communication between residents and city leadership. She supports community policing approaches that emphasize visibility, accountability, and trust, and has hosted public meetings so residents can raise concerns directly with decision-makers.

Housing and Emergency Preparedness

Betsy has also focused on housing stability and emergency preparedness. Her work includes sponsoring, leading and passing an ordinance updating city regulations so emergency shelters can open more quickly during extreme weather.

She has also secured funding for home repair programs that help seniors remain safely in their homes and supported additional investments in affordable housing and renter protections.

Supporting Workers

A strong supporter of workers’ rights, Betsy believes unions provide working people with a unified voice and fair representation. During her teaching career, she was a member of the Jefferson County Teachers Association, the Kentucky Education Association, and the National Education Association.

Leadership Style

Betsy approaches her role on Metro Council with a steady, collaborative leadership style. She listens first, asks questions, and works across departments and differences to get results, keeping her focus on outcomes for South End neighborhoods rather than politics. She believes residents deserve a local government that answers the phone, follows through, and treats every neighborhood with respect — and she is committed to continuing that work for District 21.