Ruth Davison (nee Emery) was born in 1902 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. She was one of five children and her parents supported the Labour Party. Ruth's then intended husband, John William (Jack) Davison after 4.5 years of unemployment had sailed to Australia in 1928. She sailed soon after he found a job in Sydney, arriving in July 1929, and married Jack Davison soon after. In the 1930s Ruth Davison joined the 'Women against War' movement in Wollongong and was almost jailed for illegally addressing meetings on the dangers of fascism. She also joined the Union of Australia Women after it was formed in 1950. When World War II was over Ruth Davison became an active member of the Australian peace movement and a volunteer for the Peace Committee. She died in 1994.