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Ohio Women in the U.S. Congress

As of 2021, Ohio has elected 12 women to the U.S. House of Representatives.

  • Four of the congresswomen have been Black.
  • Four of them have served in Ohio's state legislature.

Ohio has never elected a woman to the U.S. Senate. In 2022, three women ran in the primary, but none of them won.

"Will Ohio Ever Elect a Woman as US Senator?" - Cleveland.com, April 10, 2022, co-authored by Dr. Barbara Palmer, professor of political science and the founder and executive director of the CWPO, and Madelyn Pyles, undergraduate research fellow.

Congresswomen Meet with Baldwin Wallace Students

photo: Betty Sutton visits with BW students

Former U.S. Representative Betty Sutton

In October 2014, BW students in Dr. Palmer's course, Women, Politics & Media, went on a field trip to Washington, D.C. and met with former Representative Betty Sutton to learn about her time in Congress and her new position as the administrator for the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

Marcy Kaptur visits with BW students

U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur

In February 2013, Representative Marcy Kaptur spoke at Baldwin Wallace University about her experiences on the campaign trail and in Congress, and the importance of getting more women and young people involved in politics.

Ohio Women in the U.S. House of Representatives

Frances Payne Bolton

Frances Payne Bolton

Served 15 terms, 1940-69
First female representative from Ohio
Photo: Cleveland Public Library

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Mary Rose Oakar

Mary Rose Oakar

Served 8 terms, 1977-93
One of the youngest women elected to Congress
Photo: Clerk of the U.S. House

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Jean Spencer Ashbrook

Jean Spencer Ashbrook

Served 7 months in 1982
Completed term of her deceased husband
Photo: Clerk of the U.S. House

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Marcy Kaptur

Marcy Kaptur

Served 20 terms, 1983-present
Currently the most senior woman in the U.S. House
Photo: Office of Rep. Kaptur

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Deborah Pryce

Deborah Pryce

Served 8 terms, 1993-2009
Became the highest-ranking woman in U.S. House leadership
Photo: Ohio Congressional Archives

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Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Served 5 terms, 1999-2008
First Black female to serve in the U.S. House from Ohio
Photo: Clerk of the U.S. House

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Jean Schmidt

Jean Schmidt

Served 4.5 terms, 2005-2013
First woman to represent Cincinnati
Photo: Clerk of the U.S. House

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Betty Sutton

Betty Sutton

Served 3 terms, 2007-2013
Youngest woman ever elected to Ohio House
Photo: Clerk of the U.S. House

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Marcia Fudge

Marcia Fudge

Served 7 terms, 2008-2021
Created the Congressional Rock and Roll Caucus
Photo: Office of Rep. Fudge

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Mary Jo Kilroy

Mary Jo Kilroy

Served 1 term, 2009-11
Played a major role in 2010 Wall Street reform
Photo: Clerk of the U.S. House

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Joyce Beatty

Joyce Beatty

Served 5 terms, 2013-present
First female minority leader in Ohio House
Photo: Office of Rep. Beatty

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Shontel Brown

Shontel Brown

Served 1 term, 2021-present
First Black woman Chair of Cuyahoga County Democratic Party
Photo: Office of Rep. Brown

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