Ohio’s milestone moment for women in government

Farah Siddiqi

Ohio is seeing big gains in women's representation at the Statehouse, with the General Assembly poised to welcome seven additional women lawmakers in 2025.

It marks the third-highest increase nationwide, as highlighted by Rutgers' Center for American Women and Politics.

Rep. Michele Grim, D-Toledo, cautioned such strides, while important, are only a beginning.

"We're over 50% of the population, so that isn't entirely representative of who lives in the state or who lives in the country," Grim pointed out. "Hopefully, we can continue the trend of electing more women because our voices are important and our voices need to be heard."

The upcoming term will see women filling 34% of Ohio's 132 legislative seats, reflecting the national average. However, disparities persist, especially in prominent positions such as U.S. Senate and executive offices, where women remain underrepresented. Advocates stressed achieving gender parity requires more than just incremental progress, it demands systemic change and ongoing support for women candidates.

Efforts to encourage young girls to engage in politics are also gaining traction. Grim noted programs like Toledo's "Kid Mayor" and "Kid City Council" are inspiring initiatives getting fourth graders involved early in public service and local governance.

"It's important for young women and girls to get involved early," Grim asserted. "Start paying attention to especially your local elections. 'Cause who is running? Are they speaking for you? Don't be afraid to ask them questions even though maybe you can't vote yet."

While Ohio has never had a female U.S. senator or governor, incremental gains in state legislatures signal a gradual closing of the gender gap. Programs encouraging young women to participate in politics aim to create a pipeline of future leaders, ensuring representation continues to grow in Ohio and beyond.