TOLEDO, Ohio — Paula Hicks-Hudson was the first female Black woman to serve as mayor of Toledo, during her term from 2015 to 2018.
From there, Hicks-Hudson's political career moved to the Ohio Senate, a position she's proud of because of what it allows her to do.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be able to do this kind of work for the citizens of our community," Hicks-Hudson said.
In 2011, the Lucas County Democratic Party selected her to fill a vacancy on Toledo City Council and represent District Four.
"I saw the impact of young women and young girls, African American, how they were really excited to see someone like me in this position of power," Hicks-Hudson said. "And I put 'power' in air quotes because the power belongs to the people."
In 2013, she was voted in as president of Toledo City Council.
And when former Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins died unexpectedly in 2015, she assumed his role, becoming the first Black woman to hold the position.
"That is how important it is to have representation," Hicks-Hudson said. "This country was not founded on one race. This was founded on multiple people who came together to work."
Before her time on council, she worked as assistant Lucas County prosecutor, assistant public defender and assistant state attorney general.
She also worked for her own private law practice and taught criminal justice at the University of Toledo.
She was the legislative director of Toledo City Council, as well as the director and deputy director of the Lucas County Board of Elections, among other leadership roles.
Now, Hicks-Hudson represents District 11 in the Ohio Senate, a role she assumed in November 2022.
Prior to her election to the Ohio Senate, she served as a state Representative for Ohio House District 44, all the while fighting for the people she represents.
"My ancestors came by force in the belly of slave ships and have been able to contribute and build this country," Hicks-Hudson said. "Who would have thought that the great-granddaughter of a slave was the mayor of the city of Toledo, is able to help draft and support those laws that will expand and protect the rights of marginalized people?"
Outside of her political career, Hicks-Hudson still lives her life in service in Toledo where she's a minister at Redeemer Lutheran Church.