Marigene Valiquette

Marigene Gertrude Valiquette (August 22, 1924 – August 6, 2024) was an American politician who was a member of the Ohio General Assembly. She served 24 consecutive years in the state legislature, first as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, beginning in 1963, and subsequently as a member of the Ohio State Senate, from 1969 until 1986.

Career During her third year of law school at the University of Toledo, Valiquette became a law clerk for Judge Geraldine Macelwane in 1959 after an unsuccessful run for city council.

For most of her 18 years as a state senator, Valiquette was the only female senator in office. the proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that aimed to guarantee equal rights for women.

1972 In 1972, Valiquette worked in the Ohio senate to champion the amendment but expressed frustration with "enthusiasm lacking" from her colleagues.

1973 In 1973, Valiquette was very politically active working for the ratification of the ERA. In January, she spoke at an ERA workshop which was co-hosted by the Cincinnati Council on the State of Women as well as the Coalition of Campus Women. The workshop was held on the University of Cincinnati campus. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Valiquette said at the workshop, "I know what it's like to be a single working woman. But I was made equal and I was born equal, and all I want is my right in law."

1974 In February 1974 Ohio became the 33rd state to ratify the ERA.

In 1978, she was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame. She died on August 6, 2024, at the age of 99.