LADIES' GALLERY

Lorraine M. Fende serves the 62nd District in the Ohio House of Representatives. She is Chair of the Ohio House Health Access and Affordability Committee and Vice Chair of the Financial Institutions, Real Estate and Securities Committee. She is also a member of the House Finance Committee and the Public Utilities Committee.

The Willowick resident received her bachelor's degree from Ohio University. She also took additional coursework in law enforcement and received EMT training at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland. Her formal education served her well in local government. Fende served four terms as a Willowick Councilwoman before voters elected her to five terms as Willowick's first woman mayor. During her tenure, she worked to renovate or build the senior center, recreation facility and service center in her hometown.

She also works hard to stay involved in her hometown. She is a member of the Lake County Emergency Planning Commission, the Lake County Police Chief's Association, the Lake County Blue Coats Association, the Willoughby Court Security Advisory Committee, the Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion Women's Auxiliary, the Lakeland Community College Advisory Board and the Willoughby Area Chamber of Commerce.

Rep. Fende is a 2004 recipient of the Woman of Achievement award from the Women's Center of Lakeland Community College, and she is a North High "Hall of Fame" recipient.

Biography courtesy of the Ohio House of Representatives, 2009.