Thursday, December 21, 2006

 

Strickland Names Insurance and Job and Family Services Director

Mary Jo Hudson – the Ohio Department of Insurance

Mary Jo Hudson is a Columbus attorney. She was sworn in as a member of Columbus City Council in September 13, 2004. She filled a seat left vacant by Richard Sensenbrenner. Mary Jo has been practicing law for 15 years in Columbus. She chaired the Jobs and Economic Development Committee for Columbus City Council. In addition to serving on Columbus’ Civil Service Commission, Mary Jo’s resume includes volunteer stints with a number of area nonprofit organizations, including the United Way; the Center for New Directions; the Human Rights Campaign; and the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, which provides grants that benefit women and girls. Growing up in St. Mary’s, Ohio, Mary Jo broke through traditional gender barriers at the age of 11, when she became of the first of two girls to join an all-boys baseball league. Governor-elect Ted Strickland may have made a little bit of history with this appointment; I believe that Mary Jo becomes the first open lesbian ever appointed by an Ohio Governor to a cabinet level position.

Helen Jones Kelly – the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Helen Jones Kelly is currently the director of the Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services. Previously she served as executive director of Montgomery County Children’s Services. The two organizations merged in 2006. Prior to that position, she served as a referee (magistrate) and Assistant Legal Director for Montgomery County Juvenile Court. She served as a member of the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care. She served as president of the board of the National CASA Association and served on the Executive Advisory Council for the Child Welfare League of America. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Tom Moyer appointed her to be co-chair of the Ohio Advisory Council on Children, Youth and Families. Mrs. Jones-Kelley was also a foster parent.

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