Jo Ann Davidson, who served as speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1995-2001, got her start in politics by serving as a poll worker. When she decided to run in 1965 for elective office to her hometown city council, she lost.

In this exclusive interview, Speaker Davidson shares her experiences of entering political life during a time when there weren't many women in public office, how she handled her initial defeat and the obstacles she faced during her rise to becoming one of the most powerful leaders in state government.