Ohio's Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner

Jennifer Brunner, Ohio's Secretary of State, is the featured speaker at the League of Women Voters' First Thursdays, the League's area-wide meeting series open to the public free of charge. Titled, "A View From the Top," Brunner's talk is set for February 4, 2010, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Trinity Commons (the Art Gallery) at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. There is free parking for attendees behind the Cathedral off Prospect Avenue.

Ohio's Chief Election officer, Secretary Brunner will discuss the collaborative effort across Ohio to reverse the trend in the state's administration of elections. She will share the highlights of three years in office and how the state worked to provide an efficient and successful 2008 Presidential Election, and continues to work on election reform with the state legislature.

Jennifer Brunner is the first woman Secretary of State in Ohio's history. In 2008 she was awarded the "John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award," the nation's most prestigious honor for elected public servants. On February 17, 2009, Brunner announced her intent to run for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Senator George Voinovich.

The theme for this season's First Thursdays is "Women Who Know Their Place." It is a celebration of women who have achieved a high level of success in their fields. "We're also celebrating the 90th Anniversaries of the League of Women Voters," stated LWV Cuyahoga Area Co-President Janet Kershaw (a Westlake resident), "and the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the right to vote."

This event is open to the public free of charge. After Brunner's presentation, there will be an audience question and answer session. Funding for this First Thursdays has been provided by the Rocky River Chapter of the League of Women Voters and the League of Women Voters Education Fund, INc.  For more information please call 216 781-0555 or visit http://www.LWVCuyahogaArea.org.

Joan Hirsh is a member of the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area and lives in Bay Village.