Center for Women and Politics of Ohio

Fifty years before a woman could vote or even enter most restaurants without a male escort, Victoria Woodhull, an Ohio native, ran for president of the United States. Her campaign in 1872 set the stage for how women would change the face of politics for the next 150 years.

The Baldwin Wallace Center for Women and Politics of Ohio (CWPO) is a non-partisan public resource that tells the story of women running for public office in Ohio. You are invited to contribute to the conversation, dig into research and share the resources of this Center.

Latest Research, Updates and Fun Facts

Visit the Center for Women & Politics of Ohio on Jacket Connect.

One Hundred Years (And Then Some!) of Women Running for Office in Ohio

From psychics to speaker of the house, explore the history of the remarkable women who have represented Ohio for more than a century. While tremendous progress has been made, women running for office still face significant barriers – and opportunities…

Buy the book: One Hundred Years (And Then Some!) of Women Running for Office in Ohio

Victoria Woodhull Tile First women elected to Ohio state legislature Florence Allen Tile Florence Allen first female federal judge Frances Bolton tile Gertrude Donahey tile Helen Rankin tile Jo Ann Davidson tile Nancy Hollister tile Mary Wiseman tile Nickie Antonio tile Maureen O'Connor tile Summit County tile Munira Abdullahi tile

Dr. Barbara Palmer

Dr. Barbara Palmer is professor of political science and the creator and executive director of the CWPO. She has been doing research on women running for public office for over 25 years and, collaborating with non-profit organizations, has worked with over 500 young women across the nation, inspiring them to get involved in politics.

Contact: Dr. Barbara Palmer at cwpo@bw.edu
Media inquiries: University Relations at (440) 826-2322

About the Center

The CWPO was created in 2013 through a generous Summer Research Grant from Baldwin Wallace University. Since then, the mission of the Center has been to follow the success of women candidates in Ohio, engage with the public and media about the status of women in Ohio politics, and provide undergraduates with the opportunity to engage in research through our Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. Students play an integral role in the ongoing development of resources on this website.

Partnership with Bowling Green State University Trailblazers Project

The CWPO is proud to partner with BGSU's Trailblazing Women in Ohio Politics Project. Listen to the stories of Ohio's famous first in their own words.