Miss Ruth Mae Kwaak was a professional fashion model.
For you non-flying dutchmen, Kwaak is a longtime West Sayville Dutch family name. It is pronounced “quake”.
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Miss Ruth Mae Kwaak was a professional fashion model.
For you non-flying dutchmen, Kwaak is a longtime West Sayville Dutch family name. It is pronounced “quake”.
Let’s start at the beginning. Here is Ruth in 1919 at age 3 mo. 24 days. She was born at home in West Sayville, as were many babies of that era. Why born at home?
Southside Hospital opened its doors with a 50-bed facility on April 9, 1923, Ruth was already a very talented and busy little four year old girl.
Photograph courtesy of Kathleen La Capra
On June 16, 1933, the Suffolk County News published an article commending the Sayville Methodist Church’s “Monday Nite Club” for their production of a musical comedy titled “Pirate’s Daughter.
Ruth was a cast member and the comedy was presented in the Sayville High School auditorium.
On February 12, 1937, Ruth is appearing in a show in Toronto, Canada.
On the right, are two newspaper articles that carried the story and a colorized version of the accompanying photograph.
The liquor menu (check out the prices) and cover depicted here are available for purchase at;
In 1938, we learn that Ruth has taken employment with the famous “NTG” — Nils Thor Granlund; Show Business Entrepreneur and America’s First Radio Star.
For those who have never heard of NTG, Nils T. Granlund (1882–1957) created the first movie preview, filmed the first commercial, was the first to broadcast a live sports event, and, as a popular radio personality, introduced the Jazz Age to America via his broadcasts from Harlem’s Cotton Club.
He is acknowledged as the creator of the modern nightclub, introducing the high-kicking chorus line to the stages of Las Vegas and shepherding in the most beautiful chorus girls on Broadway.
Among the highest-grossing entertainers of the World War II era, even stared as “himself” in several Hollywood films. Sadly, NTG died virtually penniless and today is all but forgotten. A biography of his life is available in print.
On the left, is an album featuring the Glenn Miller Orchestra. On the right, a Paradise restaurant post card.
On April 15, 1939, trouble was brewing.
The New York Daily News carried this advertisement, placed by the Actors Equity Association and the Chorus Equity Association (of which Ruth was a member) presents the details of the work squabble.
On April 28, 1939, the Suffolk County News reported that Ruth’s picture was in the New York Daily News. Ruth and other performers were striking for better pay. Ruth appears to be the lady in the front row on the left.
Here is the article from the April 24th Daily News.
The matter was eventually settled to everyone’s satisfaction with the direct intervention of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia.
On July 07, 1939, Page 5, the Suffolk County News reported that Ruth and colleagues were in town to visit her parents, Peter and Emily Kwaak.
The 1940 Census reveals Ruth living in Midtown Manhattan at 102 West 49th St, New York, NY.
Ruth was on the edge of the Diamond district and walking distance to the theatre district as well as Radio City Music Hall, Times Square, etc.,
On June 07, 1940, Page 5, the Suffolk County News reported a photograph of Ruth had appeared in “Trend”. This is the photograph that was published in Trend.
On June 9, 1939, The New York Daily News published this picture of Ruth.
The second and third photos are Ruth and another model posing with the theme of the exposition — the Trylon and Perisphere, in the background.
The World’s Fair in 1939-40 was the second-largest World’s Fair ever. It had a “Dawn of the Future” theme.
The fair debuted of such technological marvels as air conditioning, color photography, fluorescent lamps, and television.
Photograph courtesy of Kathleen La Capra
Less than a year after the sudden unexpected loss of her Dad, tragedy would strike again as Ruth would now lose her only brother, Paul. On September 17, 1943, Paul was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Mississippi while serving in the military. The article is from “Islip town’s World War II effort –
Those who died in service”.
In 1948, we also know she was living at 56 W 65th St, New York, NY., pictured to the right.
Our profile of Ruth Mae Kwaak, who if alive would be over 100 years old) was prepared entirely from materials found on-line. Despite many inquiries, we have not located any who know Ruth or anything about her.
We remain hopeful that someone will come forward with some personal knowledge, to add to this fascinating profile of our Sayville alumna fashion model and entertainer.
Here is a little extra material regarding the Paradise Club where Ruth worked. If you are intrigued by the Ruth and Paradise club, you can purchase memorabilia merchandise on-line…
Would you like to contribute a story to “Endless Waves… Remembrances of Sayville Alumni”?
Please do so! It would be so very much appreciated.
Help us all to remember!
I can be reached at halgbrown@sayvillealumni.org
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