Ohio’s first House Speaker, Jo Ann Davidson, is remembered as a trailblazer and a legend

FILE – Jo Ann Davidson, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 2, 2008 (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The late Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio’s first and only House Speaker, was remembered at a memorial service Thursday at the Statehouse for blazing a trail for women with her strength, grace and guiding spirit. Dozens of Republican women she mentored wore red in her honor, splashing the packed atrium with her signature “color of power”.

Davidson, who died Friday at age 97, played a prominent role in state and national Republican politics for nearly 60 years. In addition to being an influential speaker in the House of Representatives, she was an advisor and campaign consultant to presidents and governors and co-chair of the Republican National Committee.

“Jo Ann fought for her place in politics at a time when politics was dominated by men.” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told the audience of current and former officials, journalists, party leaders and politicians from several generations. “She earned her place through grit, determination, hard work, perseverance, honesty and self-belief. She wanted other women to believe in themselves too.”

“We have all lost a true Ohio legend, a pioneer, a leader, a role model, a friend, a deeply committed public servant.” DeWine said.

Former U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce said she was among many aspiring candidates who were nurtured by Davidson. This was before she founded the Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute, a training center in Columbus for women in business and politics, through which Davidson has guided about 400 women.

“She lived by example, and that example included a unique ability to bring people together regardless of their politics.” Pryce said. “In her way of thinking, strength lies in cooperation and unity. This was my cup of tea. I always wanted to be exactly like her.

Her granddaughter, Emily Enslen, stated that Davidson is not a typical grandmother.

“She came to my soccer games in a BMW convertible, drove golf carts to political conventions, passed my entire family at Disney World, got an iPhone before all of us grandchildren, and brought back lots of gifts and stories from interesting places.” Enslen said.

Before the service, Davidson lay in state for several hours in the Statehouse Rotunda, the only woman to ever do so. In state history, this honor has been bestowed on only 10 people, including Abraham Lincoln. The last person to pay tribute in the state was former astronaut and U.S. senator John Glenn in 2016.

Former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery, a close friend, said Davidson was part of the Greatest Generation – along with older brothers who fought in World War II – and their constant taunts helped develop her passion for competitive politics.

“She was tough, she was tactical, she was strategic, she loved a good fight and, more importantly, she loved to win.” – said Montgomery.

Montgomery described Davidson’s efforts to quell disunity in the Ohio House of Representatives as fearless and creative. Sometimes she would give a reassuring word, sometimes a stern warning, and sometimes she would shoot you “appearance”.

Montgomery said President George W. Bush personally convinced Davidson to co-chair the RNC. Davidson spearheaded the regional re-election effort in 2004 and helped him win a key White House victory over Democrat John Kerry in Ohio. She also managed Ohio Governor Bob Taft’s successful 2002 campaign and was a close advisor to then-Gov. John Kasich, both Republicans.

Both Kasich and Taft served as honorary pallbearers during Thursday’s service. Also in attendance were Nancy Hollister, a former state representative and lieutenant governor who briefly served as Ohio’s only female governor, as well as first lady Fran DeWine, former first lady Hope Taft, and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and his wife, Tina.

Montgomery recalled how Davidson’s political life began in 1965, when she ran and lost in a race for the all-male Reynoldsburg City Council. She regrouped, worked hard and won the seat two years later, spending the next 10 years in that position.

In 1980, she was appointed to the Ohio House of Representatives, where she spent 20 years building a reputation for hard work, team-building and smarts. Fellow lawmakers elected her the first female speaker in 1994. She led the chamber until she retired due to term limits in 2001.

In addition to her legislative service, she became vice president of special programs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, which earned her a corner office. At one point, Montgomery said, a chamber lawyer suggested that he, not her, should take the office, but the secretary told her it was as important to them as it was to her. So she kept it.