The inaugural ceremony of the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame was held at the Ohio Statehouse on September 10, 2009. Angela Pace, Director of Community Affairs for WBNS-10TV was the emcee, and the following individuals were honored:

Special Recognition:

Governor C. W. O'Neill

Governor Michael DiSalle

2009 Inductees:

William F. Bowen

Reverend Joan Brown Campbell

Honorable Robert M. Duncan

Ruth Gonzales de Garcia

Reverend Bruce Klunder

C.J. McLin, Jr.

Toni Morrison

Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth

Carl B. Stokes

George Washington Williams