Nancy P. Hollister's story

Nancy Putnam Hollister was born on May 22, 1949. A descendant of Rufus Putnum, who founded Marietta in 1788, Hollister thrice made history as the first woman mayor of Marietta, first woman lieutenant governor, and first woman governor of Ohio. She served as governor when Governor George Voinovich resigned early to be sworn into the United States Senate.

From a young age Hollister attended political events with her father, a Marietta City Councilman. She was active in the speech, debate, and drama clubs at Marietta High School. Her senior classmates voted her "Class Actress." Hollister graduated in 1967.

Putnam attended Kent State University from 1967 to 1970 where she studied speech and communication. Elected dorm president, Putnam organized a protest against “women’s hours,” which required women to return to their dormitories earlier at night than men. Hollister smiles recalling her protest. No one else showed up. Kent State soon rescinded the policy.

After college Hollister married her husband, Jeff. They raised five children in Marietta, where Hollister organized a campaign for a new facility for the developmentally disabled. Soon after, Hollister volunteered for a friend’s successful city council campaign, feeling strongly that “we need to get some women on the council.” She was subsequently urged to apply for a vacant council seat. Initially reluctant, she finished the partial term and then ran outright. Visibly pregnant during her 1979 race, Hollister recalls pulling a wagon with her three children while campaigning. Her daughter was born on Labor Day and Hollister won the election in November. She served on Marietta City Council until 1984 when she ran for mayor.

Marietta had never had a woman mayor. Letters to the editor complained that there would be diapers in the mayor’s office. Women, in particular, questioned Hollister’s decision to run as a mother of young children. Hollister’s strategy was to “stay positive and stay focused.” She was elected mayor in 1983 and reelected in 1987, when she presided over Marietta’s Bicentennial.

As mayor, Hollister became acquainted with Cleveland Mayor George Voinovich. After his election as governor, Voinovich appointed Hollister Director of the Office of Appalachia in 1991. She worked on key economic development issues for the region, including telemedicine and sewage infrastructure.

In 1994 Governor Voinovich invited Hollister to be his running mate. The two won in a landslide, making Hollister Ohio’s first woman lieutenant governor. When Voinovich resigned 11 days before the end of his term, Hollister was sworn in as Ohio governor. Her portrait hangs in the Ohio Statehouse.

Hollister was appointed to a vacant seat in the Ohio House in 1999 and was subsequently elected to two full terms. Former Governor Bob Taft notes that Hollister made history as governor, but more broadly was a “success story… in Ohio politics” and “strong advocate for southeastern Ohio.” She was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 1998.

Asked whether Ohio will ever elect a woman governor, Hollister responded, “Absolutely… and I certainly hope that’s in my lifetime.”