Lawyer Becomes First Gay Member Of Columbus
City Council | Posted: September 14, 2004 5:03 pm ET |
(Columbus, Ohio) A 49 year old lawyer active in LGBT civil rights organizations has become the first lesbian to sit on the city council in Columbus Ohio.
Mary Jo Hudson was sworn in Monday night amid cheers and applause. She was appointed to finish the term of Rick Sensebrenner who announced earlier this year he would leave council early for personal reasons.
Council received 29 applications for the vacancy and chose to interview six of the applicants. Hudson was selected from among the six.
She has served on the Columbus Civil Service Commission and has been involved with the Human Rights Campaign and Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
"It's more than an honor to have this opportunity to serve the citizens of Columbus as a council member -- it's a privilege and a dream come true," Hudson said.As part of her council duties Hudson will head up a new jobs and economic development committee.
"I work with small business owners nearly every day, so I understand the challenges they face, and the challenges Columbus faces in attracting new jobs and keeping the ones we have. I want to put my energies toward creating employment opportunities for our citizens. It's my top priority," she said.
She will be up for re-election to the City Council next year.