Ruth A. Davis

Ruth A. Davis
24th Director General of the Foreign Service
In office
June 15, 2001  June 30, 2003
Preceded byMarc Isaiah Grossman
Succeeded byW. Robert Pearson
Personal details
Born(1943-05-28)May 28, 1943
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
DiedMay 3, 2025(2025-05-03) (aged 81)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
EducationSpelman College
UC Berkeley

Ruth Amy Davis (May 28, 1943 – May 3, 2025) was an American diplomat. Davis served as the 24th director general of the United States Foreign Service. She was the first woman of color to be appointed Director General of the Foreign Service and the first African-American Director of the Foreign Service Institute. In 2002, she became a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and a Career Ambassador. She was the Chief of Staff of the Africa Bureau of the U.S. Department of State.