International Women’s Day: Celebrating Ohio women
Today is International Women’s Day: a chance to celebrate the success women are having across the globe, in a wide range of industries.
In that spirit, we’re taking a look back at the achievements of some incredible Ohio women. Read their stories and recommit to getting involved to make sure the fight for equality keeps going strong.
Annie Glenn
Columbus native Annie Glenn has served her community for her entire life, working as a tireless advocate for children, the elderly, the disabled, and people with communicative disorders. She has been recognized by the American Speech and Hearing Association and the National Association for Hearing and Speech Action, which named an award in her honor. She currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at the Glenn College of Public Affairs.
Allison Janney
Dayton native Allison Janney attended Kenyon College before heading to the (fictional) Oval Office, where she played C.J. Cregg on West Wing for seven seasons. Janney has won four Emmys, and—just last weekend—won her first Oscar.
Connie Schultz
Connie Schultz grew up in Ashtabula, Ohio, before going on to become an award-winning journalist. In 2005, Connie won a Pulitzer Prize for “her pungent columns that provided a voice for the underdog and underprivileged.” Connie is now a Professor at Kent State University, teaching the next generation of journalists. Through her Facebook, Twitter, and column, Connie continues to be an inspiration for women with her compelling stories and commentary.
Activist Gloria Steinem was born in Toledo, Ohio. She earned national recognition for her work as a leader of the American feminist movement. Starting out as a journalist, she served as a founding editor for New York Magazine, and later co-founded the Ms. Foundation for Women, a nonprofit focused on elevating women and girls’ voices in communities nationwide.
Halle Berry got her start in Bedford, Ohio (she was even Miss Ohio USA!) before moving to New York City to pursue her acting ambitions. Since then, she’s gone on to star in countless movies, and became the first African American woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress.
Kathryn Sullivan was part of NASA’s first class of female astronauts, becoming the first American woman to walk in space. After leaving NASA, she served as president and CEO of COSI in Columbus. She’s now the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, working to address today’s environmental issues.
Designer and artist Maya Lin grew up in Athens. She got her professional start as a 21-year-old, when she won a public design competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in Washington, D.C. Her work has been exhibited across the country—one permanent installation is at Ohio University’s Bicentennial Park.
Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison grew up in Lorain, Ohio, before going on to become a celebrated author. Her book Beloved won a Pulitzer Prize, and she has written novels, plays, non-fiction work, essays, and children’s literature. In 2012, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
