Member, Ohio State Board of Education, District 2, 2023-present

Senator, Ohio State Senate, District 11, 2019-2023

Candidate, Ohio State Board of Education, 2022

Representative, Ohio State House of Representatives, 2000-2002, 2010-2019

Candidate, Ohio State Senate, District 11, 2018

Senator, Ohio State Senate, 2002-2010

Former Ranking Minority Member, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Member, Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Ranking Minority Member, Education Committee, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Education Oversight Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Ranking Member, Education and Career Readiness Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Member, Government Oversight and Reform Committee, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, House Energy Policy Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Ranking Member, Joint Committee on Education Oversight, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Joint Committee on Federal Funds, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Member, State and Local Government Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Ways and Means Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Teacher, Toledo Zoo School, 1995-present

Teacher, Toledo Public Schools, 1983-2000

Served, Ohio Air National Guard, 1980-1983

Personnel, United States Air Force, 1975-1978

Member, American Legion, present

Chair, Legislative and Legal Subcommittee, Ohio Attorney General's Human Trafficking Commission, present

Member, National Conference of State Legislatures Criminal Justice Committee, present

Member, National Conference of State Legislatures Education Committee, present

Member, Ohio Arts Council, present

Member, Alumni Association, University of Toledo

Delegate, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations

Member, Democratic Womens Club of Lucas County

Member, Executive Board, Catherine S. Eberly Center for Women

Member, Federated Democratic Women of Ohio

Member, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators

Member, National Caucus of Women in Government

Member, Precinct Committee, Lucas County Democratic Central Committee

Member, Toledo Federation of Teachers

Member, Wake Up Youth Board

Member, Women's Legislative Network

Board Member, Yell & Tell Against Child Abuse

Awards:

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, "Political Action Award," the AmVets Department of Ohio "Legislator Award," the Toledo NAACP "Outstanding Community Service" Award, Ohio Federation of Teachers "Friend of Education Award," the "Public Servant of the Year Award" from the Ohio Association of Joint Vocational Schools, the "Phenomenal Women Award" from L'aime, Inc, the "Jastram Award" from the American Association of University Professors, the Lucas County Child Abuse Task Force Advocate Award, and was named the "Legislative Advocate" by the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs for her commitment to Latino issues. She was selected as a 2010 Henry Toll Fellow for State Government Officials, recognized by the American Heart Association for her leadership, increasing physical activity opportunities for Ohio's school children, and awarded the 2012 Free 2 Laugh -- Toledo, "Paladin Award" in recognition of exceptional dedication for helping trafficking victims. Most recently, she earned the Public Children's Service Association of Ohio's 2013 Legislator of the Year award, the 2013 YWCA Milestones, "A Tribute to Women" award, a 2013 Woman of Achievement Award from the Zonta Club of Toledo