PASADENA, CA — Ruthie Hopkins, co-founder and publisher of The Pasadena/San
Gabriel Valley Journal News and one of the San Gabriel Valley’s most celebrated
community voices, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026. She was 83.
Born October 16, 1942, in Oakland, California, Hopkins relocated to Altadena in 1969,
where she would spend the next five decades building a legacy that spanned
publishing, entrepreneurship, education, and community activism.
Together with her late husband, Attorney Joe C. Hopkins, she co-published The Journal
beginning in 1989, growing it into an award-winning weekly newspaper serving the
African American community across eight cities in the greater San Gabriel Valley. The
paper remains one of the region’s most enduring Black-owned media voices.
Beyond publishing, Hopkins was an entrepreneur, author, sorority leader, and devoted
missionary at Pasadena First AME Church. Her business ventures included the
Pasadena Black Expo, Professional Careers Institute, and Hopkins Village — a
Pasadena-based hub for small businesses and community events. In 2010, she
authored Miss Ruthie Speaks, inspired by her husband’s book written about her life.
A hallmark of her community work was the Annual Pasadena Women of Achievement
Breakfast, an event she hosted for over a decade celebrating Black women
entrepreneurs, educators, activists, and political figures who made an impact across the
San Gabriel Valley. The event became a cherished tradition, shining a light on women
whose contributions might otherwise go unrecognized.
Hopkins also created “Sister Chat,” an annual day-long program that brought together
high school girls with panels of professional women to discuss health, education, and
personal development. Designed for young African American adolescent and teen girls,
the program became one of her sorority chapter’s signature initiatives and reflected her
deep commitment to mentoring the next generation. From empowering teenage girls to
celebrating established community leaders, Hopkins dedicated her life to lifting up Black
women and girls at every stage of life.
Among her many honors, Hopkins received the YWCA’s Outstanding Woman of
Achievement in Communications award, was recognized by the California Black
Legislative Caucus as a Civil Rights Pioneer in the San Gabriel Valley, and was
celebrated at Turner Broadcasting’s annual Trumpet Awards. She was also a proud
member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Lambda Omega Chapter, where she
served as President from 2016 to 2017.
Hopkins was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Attorney Joe C. Hopkins,
who passed away October 30, 2023. She is survived by her three sons, Yusef, Omar,
and Jamal Hopkins; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
A Celebration of Life service will be announced at a later date.
