March 31 declared Sarah Ruffi Day in Wausau

When Mayor Doug Diny set out to draft a proclamation for Sarah Ruffi Day, he realized a single page couldn’t hold the weight of her legacy. From leading the Kiwanis Club to mentoring the next generation of attorneys, Ruffi’s fingerprints are all over the Wausau landscape. Now, with the city officially declaring Sarah Ruffi Day, Wausau is recognizing a fraction of the strength the “Woman Warrior Lawyer” has lent the community.

On Thursday, March 5, family and friends of Sarah Ruffi gathered at Wausau City Hall as Mayor Doug Diny formally proclaimed March 31 as Sarah Ruffi Day in Wausau. The honor was established to recognize Ruffi’s ongoing impact to the community.

“That list [in the proclamation] is probably half of what I could’ve written, but I needed to get it on one document,” Mayor Diny said.

An attorney by trade, Ruffi established Ruffi Law Offices in Wausau in 2004. Outside of the law office, Ruffi — a graduate of Newman Catholic School — has served the community over the decades in multiple roles, including president and board member for Wausau Kiwanis for over 25 years, a past board member of the Wausau Chamber of Commerce, YWCA, South Area Business Association, Advisory Committee at the Northcentral Technical College, Marathon County Bar and Wausau West Side Business Association. She was involved in passing the Wausau Mobile Youth Vendor Permit, the 2025 Central Wisconsin Hurricane Helene relief efforts, and served as an instructor for junior achievement in Wausau schools and as an instructor at Upper Iowa University.

“When you’re the mayor, you have a little bit of a bully pulpit,” Diny said. “So if we can highlight some goodness in the city, I think it’s my obligation to do that.”

Last summer, Ruffi was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer (glioblastoma). Following the diagnosis, Ruffi and her husband, Dwight, began sharing their journey through daily video updates to raise awareness and inspire others. Despite being given a short prognosis, her continued presence and advocacy have been described by local officials and community members as a powerful testament to her resilience.

“We got a letter from Ontario yesterday,” said Tony Ruffi, Sarah’s son. “This person was like, ‘Please keep doing what you’re doing. It’s giving me hope, and it’s giving my sister hope,’ ... they’re getting messages from people in Missouri, Florida, everywhere.”

“They are making the most of every day and it’s been very inspirational,” Diny said.

Ruffi is the author of “Be Happy in Both Worlds: You Can Have a Successful Career and a Happy Family,” a book focused on work-life balance. She also hosted a podcast, “You & Your Life.”

To honor Sarah Ruffi Day next week, Mayor Diny recommends citizens find some way, no matter how big or small, to give back to their community and loved ones.

“I hope it inspires others to get involved and do things for the city and make their lives have an impact for their families, for their kids, for the residents and for themselves,” Diny said.