Mary Rose Oakar
| Mary Oakar | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 13th district |
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In office January 3, 2001 – December 31, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Barbara Pringle |
| Succeeded by | Michael Skindell |
| Vice Chairperson of the House Democratic Caucus | |
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In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1989 |
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| Leader |
Tip O'Neill Jim Wright |
| Preceded by | Geraldine Ferraro (Secretary) |
| Succeeded by | Steny Hoyer |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 20th district |
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In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | James Stanton |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
March 5, 1940 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater |
Ursuline College John Carroll University |
Mary Rose Oakar (born March 5, 1940) is an American Democratic politician and former member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio, the first Democratic woman elected to the United States Congress from that state. She is currently a member of the Ohio State Board of Education.
Oakar, who graduated with a B.A. from Ursuline College in 1962 and an M.A. from John Carroll University in 1966, taught at Lourdes Academy, a Catholic high school for women, directed plays, taught at Cuyahoga Community College from 1968 to 1975 and served on the Cleveland City Council from 1973 to 1976 before winning election to the House from Ohio's 20th congressional district in Cleveland's West Side and the surrounding suburbs. She took office in 1977, succeeding James V. Stanton.
Oakar, one of very few Arab-American members of the House, became regarded as an increasingly powerful member. She was a high-ranking member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service and the House Administration Committee. Oakar's high placement on these committees allowed her to bring home to Cleveland large sums of money for urban renewal. Oakar forged strong relationships with Jewish groups in Cleveland. From 1985 to 1989, she was elected to a position in the House Democratic leadership, as Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus.
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