Mary Rose Oakar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theOhio House of Representatives from the 13th district | |
| In office January 3, 2001 – December 31, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Barbara C. Pringle |
| Succeeded by | Michael J. Skindell |
| Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1989[a] | |
| Leader | Tip O'Neill Jim Wright |
| Preceded by | Geraldine Ferraro (Secretary) |
| Succeeded by | Steny Hoyer |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromOhio's20th district | |
| In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | James V. Stanton |
| Succeeded by | Martin Hoke (redistricted) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1940-03-05)March 5, 1940 |
| Died | September 13, 2025(2025-09-13) (aged 85) Lakewood, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Ursuline College (BA) John Carroll University (MA) |
Mary Rose Oakar (March 5, 1940 – September 13, 2025) was an AmericanDemocratic politician who was a member of theUnited States House of Representatives fromOhio, serving from 1977 to 1993. Oakar was the firstArab American woman, firstSyrian American, and firstLebanese American woman to serve in Congress. She was also the first Democratic woman elected to theUnited States Congress from that state. Oakar later served as a member of theOhio State Board of Education.
Mary Rose Oakar was born inCleveland on March 5, 1940.[1] She graduated with aB.A. fromUrsuline College in 1962 and an M.A. fromJohn Carroll University in 1966. She had also attendedColumbia University in 1963, and spent some time in England, attending theRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1964, and Westham Adult College,Warwickshire, in 1968.[1] She taught at her alma mater of Lourdes Academy, a Catholic high school for women, directed plays, taught atCuyahoga Community College from 1968 to 1975 and served on theCleveland City Council from 1973 to 1976.[2]
In 1976, Oakar was elected to theUnited States House of Representatives as the member forOhio's 20th congressional district, comprising Cleveland's West Side and the surrounding suburbs.[2] She took office in 1977, succeedingJames V. Stanton.[1]
Oakar, one of very fewArab-American members of the House (she was of Lebanese and Syrian ancestry),[3] became regarded as an increasingly powerful member. She was a high-ranking member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service and theHouse Administration Committee. Oakar's high placement on these committees allowed her to bring home to Cleveland large sums of money for urban renewal. Oakar forged strong relationships with Jewish groups in Cleveland. From 1985 to 1989, she was elected to a position in the House Democratic leadership, asSecretary of the House Democratic Caucus.[4]
In 1991, she was one of nearly 100 Members of Congress involved in the widespreadHouse banking scandal involving multiple overdrafts and bounced checks. She had written 213 overdrafted checks.[2] The House Bank, not a normally operating financial institution, was used to pay members of the House. However, members were allowed to take advances on their pay checks without overdraft charges or repercussions to theircredit.[5]
Oakar used the names ofstraw donors on federal documents to conceal illegal contributions amounting to $16,000. In 1995, she was indicted on seven counts in federal court, including lying to the FBI, filing false financial statements and using the House bank to convert public money for personal use.[6][7] Three counts against her were thrown out by theSupreme Court, the others were dropped after she entered a plea bargain in which she pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges; conspiracy and violation of election law.[8]
In 1992, her district was renumbered the 10th and redrawn to include moreRepublicans, though it was still solidly Democratic. Oakar withstood a challenge fromCuyahoga County CommissionerTim Hagan in the Democratic primary — Hagan had been endorsed by Cleveland MayorMichael R. White — but lost to businessmanMartin Hoke in the general election.[9]
Oakar won a 1999libel settlement against Cleveland's newspaper,The Plain Dealer, after seven years in court. In April 1992The Plain Dealer published articles alleging that Oakar was forced to resign from a congressional task force after the House banking scandal. The paper acknowledged that the eight-term Democrat "was rightfully upset that erroneous information" had been printed.[10]
She served a single term in theOhio House of Representatives from 2000 to 2002.[2] During her time in the State House, Oakar unsuccessfully ran in the2001 Cleveland mayoral election. She came third innonpartisan primary election and failed advance to the general election.[11]
Oakar served as president of theAmerican-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) from 2003 through 2010. ADC describes itself as the largest Arab-American grassroots civil-rights organization in the U.S.[12]
In November 2012, she was elected to a four-year term on theOhio State Board of Education where she represented District 11, which encompassesOhio Senate districts21,23, and25.[13]
Oakar died at a care home inLakewood, Ohio, on September 13, 2025, at the age of 85.[2][14][15]
In 1979, theSupersisters trading card set was produced and distributed; one of the cards featured Oakar's name and picture.[16]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromOhio's 20th congressional district 1977–1993 | Constituency abolished |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus 1985–1987 | Succeeded by Herself as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus |
| Preceded by Herself as Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus | Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus 1987–1989 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
