COLUMBUS (October 11, 2001) ? Ohio's First Lady Hope Taft on Wednesday, Oct. 17, will dedicate a Regional Gallery honoring 75 Cleveland area women inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame since 1978. The ceremony will be held at the Lausche State Building, 615 W. Superior Ave., downtown Cleveland, at 3 p.m..

"Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are home to so many remarkable women," First Lady Hope Taft said. "It is a great thrill to publicly and permanently honor their accomplishments."

The 75 charter members have made their marks in many arenas. Women in the gallery are honored for accomplishments in law and the judicial system, for business acumen, contributions to human or social services, and excellence in athletics, arts and entertainment, education and medicine.

The Cleveland gallery is the seventh regional exhibit established, and joins those in government offices in Athens, Canton, Cincinnati, Mt. Vernon, Toledo and Xenia.

The regional gallery dedication, open to the public, will precede Governor Bob Taft's induction of 18 women into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame. That ceremony, at Severance Hall in Cleveland, includes a reception at 5 p.m. and an awards program at 6, and tickets are required.

The First Lady participates in many activities associated with volunteerism and philanthropy, and is the honorary chair for the Make a Difference Day Ohio project. Mrs. Taft also is a volunteer tutor for OhioReads, a program started by Governor Taft to ensure every child can read at grade level by the fourth grade.

The Ohio Women's Hall of Fame, established in 1978, will mark its 23rd year. It is administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. For tickets or more information, contact the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, 145 S. Front St., 6th floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215; (614) 466-4496.

- 30 -

Contact: Women's Programs, ODJFS, at (614) 466-4496; or
              Chief of Staff of the Office of the First Lady, at (614) 995-2000.