Mrs. Ruffin is a Washingtonian. She was educated in the Archdiocese of Washington from elementary school through college. She received her Bachelors degree from Dunbaton College of the Holy Cross and advanced studies at Georgetown University and Trinity College. She received her certification in early childhood education and elementary education from the District of Columbia. She is the former principal of Our Lady of Sorrows School in Takoma Park, Maryland and has been in the field of education for 39 years. She is also one of the cantors at Mount Calvary Catholic Church. She is the mother of two and the grandmother of 2 boys.