STATEHOUSE NEWS

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(Columbus, Ohio)- The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) and the Capitol Square Foundation announced the 2026 Great Ohioan Award recipient. The Capitol Square Foundation presented the selected individual from nominations submitted by citizens and organizations across Ohio.

The 2026 Great Ohioan awardee is Jo Ann Davidson, a well-known figure in Ohio politics.

Jo Ann Davidson (1927-2024) was the first woman to serve as the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. She served in the Ohio House for more than two decades, from 1980 to 2000, and held leadership roles since 1985 as assistant minority whip, minority whip and minority leader before her service as speaker from 1995 to 2000.

Her former elected positions were on the Reynoldsburg City Council and as a Truro Township Trustee. She was a member of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board and many other groups and commissions. In 2005, she was elected to serve as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.

“Speaker Davidson not only broke barriers in state government, she inspired and mentored countless numbers of women now in public service,” said Capitol Square Foundation Chairman Charles Moses. “She could be a partisan force, but consistently reached across the aisle to serve all Ohioans.”

The Great Ohioan award's selection criteria rely on whether the nominee was born in Ohio or lived in Ohio for at least five years and whether the commemorated event the nominee participated in took place 25 years ago.

“The Ohio Statehouse is a perfect place to honor Jo Ann Davidson’s contributions to our state,” said Megan Wycuff, CSRAB Executive Director, “Visitors can walk in the same halls as she did and learn about her leadership by viewing the Great Ohioans exhibit.”

There have been 65 Great Ohioans previously recognized for this award for their essential contributions to history, ranging from politicians, astronauts, healthcare pioneers, writers, athletes, abolitionists and more. To learn about the other awardees, visit our website.

Great Ohioans Exhibit
The Great Ohioans exhibit in the Ohio Statehouse Museum gives visitors insight into people who have shaped Ohio’s story with their unique talents. Guests are encouraged to explore the life and legacy of each recipient of the Great Ohioan Award through the free interactive display, which is open every day of the week except on state holidays.

Ohio Women’s Monument
In honor of the women who have championed suffrage and continue advocating for equality within the state, a new monument is planned for the grounds of the Ohio Statehouse. The Ohio Women’s Monument is an ongoing initiative designed to commemorate the historical, current and future efforts dedicated to women’s suffrage and equality in Ohio. The initiative is a partnership of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, the Capitol Square Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council. Renowned artist Brenda Councill is currently creating the sculpture, which is set to be unveiled in the autumn of 2026.

For information about supporting the project, please visit the website, https://ohcapitolsquarefoundation.org/about-the-statehouse/ohio-womens-suffrage-monument/.


To view this press release and others, visit ohiostatehouse.org.
Photo available.

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