Vote now for Ruth

BALLA native Ruth Cunnane is looking for your votes.

She's in the running for the People's Choice Award at the Irish Echo's annual Top 40 Under 40 Awards.

The awards take place later this month in Manhatten and you can show your support by voting for Ruth via irishecho.com.

Daughter of Mary and Gerry Cunnane, Rathduff, Ruth works in the Aisling Center in New York coordinating a number of programmes, educational, cultural and a Young at Heart group for seniors.

The Aisling Irish Community Center is the main provider of senior services and outreach for elderly people living in the Yonkers/Woodlawn area.

The awards take place on Friday, February 24, in The Manhattan Club at Rosie O’Grady’s, NYC, and celebrate Irish and Irish Americans who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of work before reaching the age of 40. The Top 40 Under 40 will spotlight the up-and-coming leaders of Irish America from around the nation who work in a variety of fields and occupations.

After studying in NUIG, Ruth volunteered with the ALIVE volunteering services, helping out at a youth development centre and afterschool homework club. She was awarded the ALIVE presidential award in 2010 and 2011 for her volunteering efforts.

During her third year at university she spent the year in South Africa and New York. This is where she developed her interest in working in the non-profit sector by interning with two different non-profits.

She moved to New York in 2014, starting working at the Aisling Center part-time before becoming a full time member of staff in 2015.

The link to vote is http://irishecho.com/87539-2/