Ms. Hollister

Ohio's only female governor served only 12 days. On Jan. 11, 1999, the term of Gov. Nancy Putnam Hollister - the 66th governor of Ohio - ended when the newly elected Bob Taft was sworn in.

Ms. Hollister, who had also been Ohio's first female lieutenant governor, became governor on Dec. 31, 1998, after George Voinovich resigned to take a seat in the U.S. Senate. Ms. Hollister had served as a councilwoman in Marietta - her hometown - and was its first female mayor.

She is a descendent of Gen. Rufus Putnam, one of 48 original settlers of Marietta, the first organized settlement in the Northwest Territory in 1788. After her short stint as governor, Ms. Hollister - the mother of five children - moved into a vacant state representative position.

Rebecca Billman

Ohio Moments will appear here daily during 2003. Have a suggestion? Contact Rebecca Billman at rbillman@enquirer.com or (513) 768-8361.