We strengthen civic ties and create meaningful and fruitful connections for those who are here. We work with government, businesses, educational institutions, and community partners to ensure a welcoming environment that helps newcomers find success and opportunity in our region.
With hundreds of thousands of attendees each year, we create events and experiences that drive vibrancy in our region. Beyond what we produce, we’re deeply engaged and invested in growing the region’s cultural vibrancy by supporting arts, culture, sports, and entertainment assets and investments.
Through bold leadership, advocacy and partnerships with city, county, state and federal policy makers the Cincinnati Regional Chamber advances a pro-business and pro-development policy initiatives that stimulate and grow our regional economy.
We create member experiences, connections, and programming that meet the unique needs of businesses in our region. We’re a driver of regional collaboration, ensuring that our diverse civic and business communities are aligned, engaged, and have their voices heard.
Home » Ruth Lyons
We strengthen civic ties and create meaningful and fruitful connections for those who are here. We work with government, businesses, educational institutions, and community partners to ensure a welcoming environment that helps newcomers find success and opportunity in our region.
Through bold leadership, advocacy and partnerships with city, county, state and federal policy makersthe Cincinnati Regional Chamber advances a pro-business and pro-development policy initiatives that stimulate and grow our regional economy.
With hundreds of thousands of attendees each year, we create events and experiences that drive vibrancy in our region. Beyond what we produce, we’re deeply engaged and invested in growing the region’s cultural vibrancy by supporting arts, culture, sports, and entertainment assets and investments.
We create member experiences, connections, and programming that meet the unique needs of businesses in our region. We’re a driver of regional collaboration, ensuring that our diverse civic and business communities are aligned, engaged, and have their voices heard.
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Celebrating the leadership, vision, tenacity, and love of community shared by the recipients of the Great Living Cincinnatian Award, presented annually by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber since 1967.
Ruth Lyons, a native of Cincinnati, was best known for her radio and television shows and the Ruth Lyons Children’s Christmas Fund.
Lyons began her career in broadcasting in 1929 as a pianist for WKRC radio after attending Withrow High School and the University of Cincinnati. By 1931 she had two hour-long shows a day: “Woman’s Hour” and “Open House.”
Lyons moved to WLW radio in 1942 and hosted “Morning Matinee,” “Petticoat Partyline” and “Consumer’s Foundation.” She began “50 Club” in 1946. The show was named “50 Club” because she performed, on radio, before a daily studio audience of 50 people. Later the show moved to a larger studio and was renamed “50-50 Club.”
Lyons moved “50-50 Club” to television in 1949. Because of the success of the show, it was expanded to a 90-minute format and broadcast in Dayton, Columbus and Indianapolis in addition to Cincinnati. In the summer of 1952, the show was televised live over the NBC television network. The “50-50 Club” became Ohio’s first regularly scheduled colorcast in 1957. Lyons retired from the show in 1967.
She began her now-famous Christmas Fund in 1939. The fund, which is still operational today, was organized to collect contributions from listeners to aid and comfort hospitalized children. The first Christmas, she raised $1,000 and since then, the fund has raised $12 million to purchase toys, televisions and therapy equipment for nearly 100 hospitals in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
Recipients are selected from candidates by the Cincinnati Chamber’s senior council based on the following criteria: – Community service – Business and civic attainment on a local, state and national or international level – Leadership – Awareness of the needs of others – Distinctive accomplishments that have brought favorable attention to their community, institution or organization
The Cincinnati Regional Chamber is the premier business and civic organization dedicated to growing the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati region. To achieve its vision that Cincinnati is a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs, the Chamber seeks to grow our economy, grow our population, and grow our cultural vibrancy -- with the foundation of a strong business community -- to foster a welcoming environment for all.
Discover all a Cincinnati Chamber membership offers you, your business, and your team.