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.
