Ruby Wood (nee Small) hails from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Forty years ago she migrated to the United States to join her husband, the late Egerton “Creech” Wood.
After several jobs, she says, “I accepted that my passion and profession was in the shipping business with my husband.”
Ruby and her late husband established Square Deal Shippers and Movers, Inc. then on Utica Ave. When they outgrew that location, they moved to their present home office and warehouse site on Church near Troy.
“There were numerous challenges,” she says. In addition to administrative tasks, she adds, “I maneuvered barrels, drove the pick-up and delivery trucks so shipments would depart and arrive to various destinations on their expected dates.”
With all of this, she also continued her education at college and had a family.
“My company has provided jobs for a number of persons,” Ruby Wood says, “giving them opportunities to be successful professionals.”
Ruby’s life is also guided by the words of her mother: There are more blessings in giving than receiving.
To that end, she is involved in several Diaspora community activities. She and her company have donated charitable gifts and donations to many organizations including the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, the Red Cross, schools for children with special needs, sports and educational youth programs, and feeding programs for school children and homeless people.
She has acquired and distributed books, computers, medical equipment and supplies, and building materials for hospitals and churches.
Among the many, her most rewarding achievement she says, “I am most proud of shipping a refrigerated morgue to Union Island, a small island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It impacted the lives of many by allowing the locals to keep the dead a little longer, thus allowing relatives traveling from abroad to see their loved ones before burial.”
“Right now, I’m working in conjunction with St. Mathias Charities to get medical supplies and equipment to St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” she adds.
For her acts of kindness, Wood is the recipient of numerous recognitions, citations and awards including a proclamation from City Council in 1999 and Woman of the Year Award in 2009 from Councilmember Dr. Kendall B. Stewart on behalf of the constituents of the 45th District.
For her social involvement in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, nurses, teachers, sports, and religious associations have also paid tribute to her.
She is the mother of two daughters and a son and the grandmother of four boys.
