19-03-2025
Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus forges ahead in ‘moment of deep uncertainty' for country
Ohio State Rep. Munira Abdullahi, D-Columbus, speaks during a press conference celebrating Women's History Month and laying out legislative priorities for the Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus, of which she serves as chair. (Screenshot photo courtesy of The Ohio Channel)
In celebrating Women's History Month, the Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus is recognizing those that came before them, and preparing themselves to continue to fight for issues that are still there after decades, like wage disparities and reproductive rights.
'We stand in a moment of deep uncertainty in our country,' said caucus chair state Rep. Munira Abdullahi, D-Columbus. 'We see the fear in our communities, in the voices of our neighbors, in the policies being signed into law federally and right here in the Statehouse that tell us over and over again that our rights, our dignity and our futures are not a priority for those in power.'
Using legislation targeting access to affordable health care, political engagement, domestic violence and child care, among others, the women of the caucus are planning to look forward and change strategies as they sit in what Abdullahi acknowledged as 'a superminority.'
But the challenge to be heard in a legislature with a Republican stronghold on both chambers isn't a deterrent to building the Ohio they want to see, the legislators said.
'We will build a world where no woman, no person, fears for their safety in their home, in their workplace or in their community,' Abdullahi said during a press conference Tuesday with the caucus. 'And we will build movements that will outlast any speaker, any president or administration, or any attempts to erase our power.'
Democrats are planning 'listening tours' in districts across the state to hear from constituents, and bring with them information about the legislation they want to see passed.
'This race is not a sprint, it's a marathon,' said state Rep. Meredith Lawson-Rowe, D-Reynoldsburg.
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The legislators listed several measures they are leading this General Assembly, including state Rep. Anita Somani's House Bill 128, which seeks to codify reproductive rights in the same way that the constitutional amendment passed in 2023 established reproductive rights like abortion and fertility treatments in the Ohio Constitution. The bill also aims to repeal state laws that sponsors say conflict with the amendment.
'When women are able to plan when and if they have children, they are able to achieve higher levels of education and as a result, higher financial security,' said Somani, D-Dublin.
State Rep. Rachel Baker, D-Cincinnati, touted her bipartisan legislation with Republican state Rep. Cindy Abrams, House Bill 141, which looks to improve prescribed pediatric extended care centers for families of children with 'medical complexities.'
With House Bill 60, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Latyna Humphrey and Republican Rep. Josh Williams, the legislators hope to see the use of campaign funds for child care expenses become state law.
Lawson-Rowe plans to reintroduce the an equal pay act to prohibit sex-based wage disparities and bar retaliation in the workplace for speaking about pay, and state Reps. Crystal Lett, D-Columbus, and Tristan Rader, D-Lakewood, are heading up House Bill 136, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Part of their motivation and hope for this new General Assembly is new strategies to see the bills pass, even in a Republican supermajority, through bipartisanship and compromise.
'My tactic this GA … is to find folks across the aisle, maybe tweak a few things, maybe change messaging,' Abdullahi said. 'It takes a couple of conversations and maybe negotiating, but we are looking towards different tactics to make these bills pass.'
But the legislators don't see the priority legislation they've presented as difficult measures to garner Republican (or independent) support.
'Everything we've talked about today, from child care to reproductive care to equal pay, is not a partisan issue,' Somani said.
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