Ohio Senate Mourns Death of First Female Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives

This week, the Ohio Statehouse honored the legacy of Speaker Jo Ann Davidson at the Ohio Statehouse as she became one of just a handful of notable Ohioans who received the honor of lying in state inside the Statehouse Rotunda.

Hundreds of mourners, elected officials, and members of the General Assembly joined Governor DeWine in remembering her remarkable legacy.

Speaker Davidson was a trailblazer for women in politics here in Ohio.

She became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1995.

Her two decades of service to the General Assembly began in 1980 and ran through 2001.

She launched the Jo Ann Davidson Leadership Institute which counsels and guides young women here at home who have an interest in public policy and politics.

Today there are eight women who serve their districts in the Ohio Senate.

This week, members of the Senate spoke about their memories and friendship they had with Speaker Davidson.

Join us as they talk about the positive impact she had on their lives and political careers.

You can watch the entire memorial service held at the Ohio Statehouse here.

Don't miss the very moving eulogies from her granddaughter, Governor Mike DeWine, Congresswoman Deborah Pryce, Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery, and a who's who of current and former Ohio elected officials.

Read more about Speaker Davidson's service to the Ohio General Assembly and people of Ohio.