Mary Rose Oakar
Mary Rose Oakar | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 13th district | |
| In office January 3, 2001 – December 31, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Barbara C. Pringle |
| Succeeded by | Michael J. Skindell |
| Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1989 | |
| 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 | |
| In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | James V. Stanton |
| Succeeded by | Martin Hoke (redistricted) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 5, 1940 |
| Died | September 13, 2025 (aged 85) Lakewood, Ohio, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Ursuline College (BA) John Carroll University (MA) |
Mary Rose Oakar (March 5, 1940 – September 13, 2025) was an American Democratic politician who was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio, serving from 1977 to 1993. Oakar was the first Arab American woman, first Syrian American, and first Lebanese American woman to serve in Congress. She was also the first Democratic woman elected to the United States Congress from that state. Oakar later served as a member of the Ohio State Board of Education.