STATEHOUSE NEWS

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(Columbus, Ohio) – The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) and the Capitol Square Foundation announce the recipients of the 2022 Great Ohioan Award. The 2022 honorees were presented by the Capitol Square Foundation and unanimously approved by the CSRAB recently at the Board’s first meeting of 2022. The individuals were selected from nominations submitted by citizens and organizations from across Ohio.

The 2022 Great Ohioan awardees are Bob Hope, Aminah Robinson and Joshua Giddings.

Bob Hope, a popular entertainer, achieved success on stage, radio, television and film.

Biography: https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Leslie_T._Hope

Aminah Robinson, an artist, represented Black history and Ohio culture in her sculptures, paintings and books. She was a recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant.

Biography: https://poba.org/poba_artists/aminah-b-l-robinson/

Joshua Giddings, an attorney and politician, was a dedicated abolitionist in both the Ohio and U.S. House of Representatives.

Biography: https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Joshua_R._Giddings


“An abolitionist, an entertainer and an artist. This diverse class of Great Ohioans speaks to the depth of the Ohio experience,” said Capitol Square Foundation Chairman Charles Moses. “From different eras and genres, these individuals reaffirm Ohio’s rich history.”

The Great Ohioan Award commemorates Ohioans who played a significant role in an event or series of events of lasting significance in world, American or Ohio history. To be selected for the Great Ohioan Award, the nominee must have resided in Ohio for a minimum of five years. In addition, at least 25 years must have passed since the event in which the nominee participated is being commemorated.

Since 2003, 52 Great Ohioans have been recognized with the award for the special roles they played in history.

“Our 2022 Great Ohioans exemplify the ranging passions, talents and values that Ohioans champion together,” said Laura P. Battocletti, CSRAB executive director. “Through art, comedy and political activism, these individuals found their own paths to uplift their community and make Ohio proud. There’s no better time to highlight their accomplishments and the potential of our state’s citizens.”


GREAT OHIOAN AWARD RECIPIENTS

Great Ohioan honorees and their achievements are archived in a permanent Great Ohioan exhibit, which is part of the Ohio Statehouse Museum. While countless Ohioans have performed great actions for their community and beyond, only a select few have been named a “Great Ohioan.” This exhibit allows visitors to have a greater understanding of the recipients of the Great Ohioan award and discover how they affected local, national and world history. The exhibit uses videos, photos, facts and web based technology to explore the life and legacy of each Great Ohioan.

Opened in 2009, the Ohio Statehouse Museum features high-tech, interactive exhibits that make learning about state government immersive. The museum features historical artifacts and images that detail how government works, and recognizes the people who have served their fellow citizens. The new Ohio Constitution exhibit utilizes the original 1802 and 1851 Ohio Constitutions, in conjunction with visitor-interactive displays, to answer the following questions: what is the Ohio constitution, what does it do and how does it impact Ohioans in the 21st century?

The Museum includes 5,000 square feet of exhibit space on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse that enriches the experience of schoolchildren and visitors. The Museum offers displays that encourage citizens to participate in the government process by making choices, expressing their opinions, comparing viewpoints and even becoming a part of an exhibit by giving a State of the State address. The Museum’s engaging approach to education enables visitors to better relate to the governing process.

Photos are available at ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/great-ohioans. To view this press release and others, visit ohiostatehouse.org.


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