By Kathy Groob, Publisher ElectWomen Magazine  Political activist Jodine Grundy, Melissa Wideman and their committee of hosts shined a spotlight on Cincinnati women in politics at the Mobilizing Women 2012 event.  The event featured three of the four Cincinnati state representatives who are women, all facing difficult re-election challenges due to redistricting.

Last Friday evening over 100 supporters gathered to support the three women incumbents and participate in a book event featuring  PINK POLITICS, the Woman’s Practical Guide to Winning Elections.  While competing in their own re-election campaigns, Representatives Connie Pillich, Alicia Reese and Denise Driehaus each described their roles in the legislative Democratic caucus to recruit and support more women.

“The women here tonight, and also the men know why we need to support these women,” said host Jodine Grundy.  “Because women’s political clout matters and we need to build on the successes of our elected women to further the values we believe in as Democrats and to also reach parity for women in elected office.”

Ohio ranks 28^th in the nation for women in political office and the state legislature currently is represented by just 22 percent women.  There has never been a U.S. Senator from Ohio and they had one female governor who only served 11 days.

Representative Denise Driehaus is in her second term as Ohio State Representative for the 31st House District.  She is a founding member of the Progressive Caucus, the Treasurer of the Ohio Women’s Democratic Caucus and a member of the National Conference of Environmental Legislators.  Denise is a member of the Finance and Appropriations Committee, the Education Committee and the Economic Development Committee and has worked to bring good paying jobs to Ohio, prevent foreclosures, provide adequate funding for education and protect the environment.

Representative Connie Pillich is running for her third term in the Ohio legislature for the 28^th District.  She represents many in the northern suburbs of Cincinnati. Connie is an Air Force veteran, an attorney, and mother to two teens.   Connie has focused on keeping children healthy and safe, serving veterans, growing the economy, and protecting the environment.

Representative Alicia Reece is serving her first term as state representative in the 33rd Ohio House District, which includes eastern Cincinnati as well as Deer Park, Elmwood, Golf Manor, Norwood, Silverton, St. Bernard and parts of Columbia, Springfield, and Sycamore Townships.

Rep. Reece is a long-time public servant who has held many roles on behalf of the citizens of Ohio. She served as Vice Mayor of Cincinnati from 2002-2006 and was a City Councilwoman for the eight years prior. Then and now she advocated for women’s health legislation, racial profiling litigation, public safety, small business tax reform, job creation, small business development, housing issues, healthcare concerns, education reform, and quality of life issues in our communities.

For the past four years, Reece served as the Assistant Director of Tourism in the Ohio Department of Development where she helped oversee a $39 billion industry employing 400,000 Ohioans.

Photos courtesy of Brewster Rhoads.