In a life that has spanned 92 creative years, ruth weiss is one of the most influential writers of the Beat Generation. Born to a Jewish family during the rise of Nazism, as a 10-year-old refugee, she escaped to the United States. ruth became a Jazz troubadour exemplifying the zeitgeist of Chicago, New Orleans, and San Francisco. In the 1950s, she opened up and organized the first poetry readings in North Beach cafes and bars, giving a platform to many poets.

The film further highlights ruth weiss' electrifying and intimate poetry with breathtaking images of exquisite modern dance, art, animation, and music to embody her oeuvre. This film documents not only weiss' gift to humanity but archives significant historical moments in our world's social and literary movements. As a contemporary of Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Jack Kerouac, she innovated poetry to jazz. Legend Herb Caen dubbed ruth weiss as "The Goddess of the Beat Generation" because of her contribution to the culture of North Beach and the Bay Area poetry scene.

"ruth weiss passed away at the end of august and in honor of her name we created the ruth weiss foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization that preserves and advances the works of a poet of historical significance, ruth weiss. The activities of the Foundation include literary poetic performances, exhibits, educational programs, and events. The Foundation's annual grant/scholarship supports poets, visual artists, musicians, dancers, and filmmakers.​

The ruth weiss foundation museum exhibitions will provide on-going exposure and recognition of innovative American women writers, poets, and artists.

The ruth weiss English Language Arts Educational Curricula is database of teaching resources, materials, lesson plans, project based activities, and reader's theatre programs.

This is the only website you can purchase rare and signed books by ruth weiss. The proceeds go to our annual scholarship/grant to support supports women poets, writers, and multi-disciplinary artists.