To understand Ruth, you must first understand her motivation. Ruth Glendinning was married to Keith Hogan until he passed away on April 14, 2010.  In their years of marriage, Ruth and Keith made plans to make the world a better place for people with disabilities.  You see, at the age of two, Keith was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2. He was raised to believe he could accomplish anything, and he did. He was a banker, real estate investor and developer. At the time of his death, Keith was making plans for the next phase of his life including a credit union for people with disabilities so that other people with disabilities could achieve that which he considered his greatest personal accomplishment: he got to have a "normal" life.

    Following Keith’s death, Ruth continues to carry on his legacy: to support those who can not always advocate for themselves.

    Even before Keith died, Ruth was in the process of turning a former 60,000-square-foot Albertsons grocery store in South Austin, Texas into a microbusiness incubator for fledgling entrepreneurs.  Called the Community Renaissance Market, the old grocery store is home to businesses including an organic dog treat baker, cloth diaper maker, farmers’ market, antiques boutique, smoke shop, computer repair station and a 12,000-square-foot amusement park composed of inflatable rides. In one spot, visitors are greeted by a sprightly 86-year-old retired teacher turned quilt maker. At the market, she saw an opportunity to make a little money, get out of the house and interact with people. She rents a cart every other week near the market’s entrance.

    Ruth’s future plans include the addition of a career training and job placement center for the disabled community. Ruth wants businesses, corporations and industries to look beyond disabilities and see the intellectual, untapped talent that is willing and able to be engaged and involved in the business community.

     “This is the kind of place Keith would love.  As he got more ill, he knew what I was doing here.  He actually spent his last day here. It was very heartwarming for me to know that I could carry on his legacy,” Ruth said.  “It’s been such a gift to, after my husband died, to be able to invest my time this way. It kind of kept me sane.”

To learn more about Community Renaissance Market go to: http://bit.ly/ggQZQS