Irene Ruiz is the daughter of Mexican Immigrants, she grew up in Hazelton, ID where she also worked in the fields with her family.

She received her Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Boise State University. Irene currently lives in Boise, ID. Irene has been an activist for over 20 years.

She is the Executive Director for the Idaho Organization of Resource Councils. She is a board member for the ACLU of Idaho, the Stay at School Quinceñera program, and Indigenous Idaho Alliance.