Ruthie Bolton

"To whom much is given, much is required." - Luke 12:48.

Ruthie Bolton, the 16th child in a family of 20 siblings, emerged from humble beginnings in McLain, Mississippi. Raised by her parents, Reverend Linwood Bolton, Sr. and Leola Bolton, in a household grounded in faith, Ruthie was instilled with the belief that a positive mindset could help her achieve her aspirations regardless of circumstances. Finding her own identity amidst her accomplished siblings marked the beginning of her journey to becoming a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and a trailblazer in women’s national basketball.

Born just minutes apart from her twin brother Ray, Ruthie attended McLain High alongside her siblings. Despite initially living in the shadow of her All-Star older sister, Mae Ola, Ruthie was determined to follow in her footsteps. After her senior year, she fought to join her sister at Auburn University, culminating her collegiate career with three SEC championships and over 1,176 points scored.

In 1991, Ruthie married Mark Holifield, becoming Ruthie Bolton-Holifield. Her accolades multiplied as she achieved numerous honors, including having her collegiate jersey retired, winning two Olympic Gold Medals, and becoming a WNBA Legend. Despite her professional success, Ruthie silently endured routine physical and mental abuse from her husband, Mark, for years. This painful secret, hidden from even her family, weighed heavily on her as she grappled with feelings of guilt and unworthiness.

Eventually breaking her silence, Ruthie became an advocate to end violence against women, publicly sharing her story in the documentary "The Truth Behind the Gold" in 2015. Today, residing in Mississippi with her new husband and their children, Ruthie is a multifaceted individual, serving as an author, fitness trainer, coach, and motivational speaker. To learn more about Ruthie Bolton, visit: www.mightyruthiebolton.com.