Receiving Discouragement

Despite their breakthrough electoral achievements, a number of our trailblazers were initially discouraged from running for office.

Some were told by influential people around them that they had little to no chance of success.

Listen to their experiences with naysayers by clicking on the links below.

Underestimated by your own campaign manager

Rhine L. McLin

Sound Bite

I'm the only black person in the room. So everybody stops, they turn around, and they look at me.

Career highlights:

First African American woman in the Ohio Senate
First woman Mayor of Dayton

Steered to a “throwaway” race for attorney general

Betty D. Montgomery

Sound Bite

Nobody gave me a chance. Nobody thought I would win.

Career highlights:

First woman County Prosecutor in Ohio
First woman Attorney General of Ohio
First woman Auditor of State of Ohio

Criticized for holding a bake sale on the road to victory

Marcy Kaptur

Sound Bite

We were criticized in Washington: ‘What does she think she’s running for? The school board? This is Congress.’

Career highlights:

Longest-serving woman in the United States Congress

Getting on the ballot with or without the party’s endorsement

Jo Ann Davidson

Sound Bite

I couldn’t get endorsed by my party.

Career highlights:

First woman on the City Council of Reynoldsburg, Ohio
First woman Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives

You can’t win because, “Well, you know”

Nickie J. Antonio

Sound Bite

I was told by some people… ‘You do great stuff, but you can't get elected.’

Career highlights:

First member of the LGBTQ+ community in the Ohio House and Ohio Senate
Elected to leadership positions in both chambers

Urged to stay put on city council

Nancy P. Hollister

Sound Bite

That was my first lesson in saying, ‘Whoa, folks!’

Career highlights:

First woman Mayor of Marietta, Ohio
First woman Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
Only woman to take the oath of office as Governor of Ohio

The Team Behind Trailblazing Women in Ohio Politics

Trailblazing Women in Ohio Politics is a collaboration between WBGU-PBS and Dr. Melissa K. Miller, Professor of Political Science at Bowling Green State University.

Documentary for Public Television

Watch the WBGU-PBS produced documentary, Trailblazing Women in Ohio Politics, to learn more and hear stories and insights from a number of our trailblazers.

Oral History Collection

The Trailblazing Women in Ohio Politics Oral History Collection is an excellent place to hear more from each trailblazer. Digital versions of each trailblazer’s complete interview are housed in BGSU’s Center for Archival Collections.

Trailblazing Women in Ohio Politics Oral History Collection

Resources for Educators

Instructor guides for college and high school educators provide ideas to spark in-depth student engagement with the stories of Ohio’s trailblazing political women. Each instructor guide includes project ideas, classroom and online discussion topics, group activities, and more.

High School Educator Resources

College Educator Resources

PHOTO CREDITS: Dayton Daily News; USA TODAY NETWORK; OGT / The Ohio Channel; The Blade; Marietta Times courtesy of Marietta College Legacy Library

Updated: 06/30/2023 04:39PM