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Trailblazing Women in Ohio Politics is a WBGU-PBS public television documentary and oral history project marking the electoral achievements of Democratic and Republican women who have broken electoral barriers in Ohio. Greeted with skepticism by voters beginning in the 1960s, each trailblazer overcame obstacles and sometimes hostility to get elected. Featured trailblazers include the first woman Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, the first African American woman lieutenant governor in all 50 states, and the longest-serving woman in the US House of Representatives.
The one-hour documentary will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Melissa Miller -- Executive Producer, Kaitlyn Kuch Finkler -- Producer, and Meghan Murray -- Editor. Refreshments will be served.
The program was produced by Melissa Miller, PhD, BGSU. Dr. Miller is an expert on American politics with a specific focus on elections and voting behavior, women in American politics, public opinion, and the media. At BGSU she teaches courses in American Government, Political Parties, Voter Behavior, Women in American Politics, and Research Methods. In 2016 Dr. Miller was named Master Teacher — the highest teaching award on campus. She is frequently interviewed by local, regional, national, and international media and has been a speaker at local League events.
NICKIE J ANTONIO – First member of the LGBTQ community in the Ohio House & Ohio Senate; held leadership positions in both chambers
JO ANN DAVIDSON – First woman on the Reynoldsburg City Council & first woman Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
NANCY P HOLLISTER – First woman Mayor of Marietta, first woman Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, & only woman to serve as Governor of Ohio
MARCY KAPTUR – Longest-serving woman in the United States House of Representatives
JOAN W LAWRENCE – First woman to represent Morrow, Knox, & Delaware Counties in the Ohio House of Representatives
RHINE L McLIN – First African American woman in the Ohio Senate & first woman Mayor of Dayton
BETTY D MONTGOMERY - First woman County Prosecutor in all 88 Ohio counties, first woman Attorney General of Ohio, & first woman Auditor of State
DONNA OWENS – First woman Mayor of Toledo
HELEN RANKIN - First African American woman in the Ohio legislature
MELODY J STEWART – First African American woman elected to the Ohio Supreme Court
MARY ELLEN WITHROW – First woman on the Elgin Local School Board of Education; rose to become Treasurer of the United States
JENNETTE BRADLEY -- First African American Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
A film by WBGU/PBS // Major funding provided by: Ohio History Connection and Ohio Humanities // Additional Funding by: Dr. Maribeth S. and Martin E. Rahe; Bowling Green State University: Office of the President, Department of Political Science, Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship
