Brave Enough to Hope. Bold Enough to Act | The Matriots | Women’s Collective Newsletter | April 2025

This year, Ohio reached a groundbreaking milestone: nearly 35% of our state legislature is now composed of women—up from just 22% seven years ago. While this marks meaningful progress, women remain significantly underrepresented across all levels of elected office.

Although women make up 51% of Ohio’s population, their representation in government tells a different story. From city councils to statewide executive offices, the numbers are far lower. For example, research by Dr. Barbara Palmer for the Matriots Education Fund found that only 6% of township trustees in Ohio are women and that Ohio women run less often than men.

Why does it matter?

Electing women isn’t just about fairness—it’s about function.

Women bring essential perspectives, lived experiences, and leadership styles that are often missing from the decision-making table. Studies consistently show that when women lead, they prioritize issues like healthcare, education, equity, and community well-being—issues that impact our daily lives.

Research also shows women are more likely to build consensus, reach across the aisle, and champion policies that serve broader populations. When women are in office, policy becomes more inclusive, responsive, and reflective of the people it’s meant to serve.

Put simply: A democracy that elects women is a democracy that works better—for everyone

How does Ohio stack up?

The first woman ever elected to public office in the U.S. was Susanna Madora Salter, who became mayor of Argonia, Kansas in 1887, shortly after women gained the right to vote in local elections. We’ve made significant strides since then.

Today, Nevada leads the nation, with women holding nearly 62% of legislative seats. New Mexico and Colorado follow closely behind.

Ohio currently ranks 22nd out of 50 states for the percentage of women in our state legislature. However, challenges remain:

• Only three of nine Ohio Supreme Court justices are women

• None of the six statewide executive offices are held by women

• Ohio has never elected a woman to the U.S. Senate

• Just 27% of our U.S. House seats are held by women

Clearly, there’s more work to do to ensure meaningful representation and progress on the issues that matter to our communities.

What do The Matriots do?

The Matriots is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trio of organizations created to advance women’s equal participation in all aspects of Ohio political life. Connected by values—not political labels—the Matriots help Ohio women find a way to engage.

We envision a world where women have equality, influence, and power. Our work centers around three key strategies:

• ENDORSE: Identify and endorse women candidates in Ohio who share our beliefs and principles, and who will work to achieve equality, influence, and power for Ohio women.

• ADVOCATE: Strengthen women’s political voices by supporting legislation and policies, and uplifting the women who advocate for them.

• ENCOURAGE: Demystify politics and help women navigate systems, roles, and processes to better understand—and leverage—their power.

We’re building productive paths to ensure women’s voices are included as policy is debated and decided.

How Can You Make a Difference?

We welcome the Women’s Collective—and all Chamber members—to join us in this critical moment for democracy and representation.

✔ Join our work: www.matriotsohio.com

✔ Attend an educational event: www.matriotseducationfund.com

✔ Run for office—or support another woman who is

✔ Host a gathering to learn more (email giving@matriotsohio.com)

✔ Volunteer at an event or on a committee (email info@matriotsohio.com)

✔ Follow us: @MatriotsOhio on social media

Together, we can—and will—increase the number of women participating in all aspects of Ohio’s political life, including running for office.